Iron Deficiency Treatment in Heart Failure—Challenges and Therapeutic Solutions

Abstract

Iron deficiency (ID) is a common comorbidity in heart failure (HF), affecting nearly 50% of patients and worsening symptoms, exercise capacity, and prognosis. This review summarizes recent evidence from meta-analyses, clinical trials, and guidelines on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of ID in HF. ID in HF results from chronic inflammation, intestinal congestion, and impaired iron metabolism. Diagnosis is based on serum ferritin and transferrin saturation (TSAT) levels. While oral iron therapy has limited efficacy, intravenous iron, particularly ferric carboxymaltose and ferric derisomaltose, improves symptoms and exercise tolerance and reduces hospitalizations. Timely diagnosis and treatment of ID in HF are essential. Intravenous iron is the preferred therapeutic approach, but further research is needed to optimize long-term management.