Studying the effects of iron deficiency and replacement on people with heart failure

Iron Status and Cardiac Mechano-Energetics in Heart Failure (Dr Francesco Papalia)

Heart failure is debilitating because the heart can’t respond to the demands of the body. Many people with heart failure also lack enough iron in their body, which worsens symptoms. However, little is known about the effect of iron on the heart, so doctors are reluctant to prescribe it unless the deficiency reaches anaemic levels. In this research, the role of iron in the heart will be examined, along with its potential to improve symptoms in people with heart failure. In heart cells, iron is found in proteins involved in energy production. These researchers aim to discover if a lack of iron therefore causes a ‘fuel shortage’ in the heart. In mice, they will study how iron deficiency affects the heart’s energy levels and pumping function. They will also study heart cell biopsies from 40 people with heart failure who are having heart surgery – half who have normal iron levels, and half who lack iron. Finally, they will recruit 64 heart failure patients with iron deficiency and give half of the volunteers iron supplementation. Then, using a special imaging technique, they will assess the heart’s energy levels in all participants to see if iron replacement makes a positive difference. The results of this study may give doctors confidence to prescribe iron to heart failure patients who lack it, which could improve quality of life and survival.