Red blood cell distribution width: A new prognostic marker of heart failure.

Abstract Background Accumulating evidence points at red cell distribution width(RDW) being a marker of poor outcome in heart failure(HF).We sought to investigate the prognostic value of RDW in an Indian population of patients with HF. Methods A total of 210 patients of HF due to LV systolic dysfunction had RDW measured at baseline and were followed up for 1 year. The study endpoint was mortality at 1 year of follow-up. Results The study endpoint was met in 44 patients (20.9%).RDW at baseline was strongly associated with mortality at 1 year(p<0.001). Male sex, DM, NYHA class III/IV and atrial fibrillation(AF) were strong predictors of mortality. Higher RDW was associated with worse NYHA class, ischemic etiology and diabetes mellitus(DM). Conclusion RDW is a simple and cost effective biomarker which has a strong predictive value for mortality in heart failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]