title: Baseline characteristics of patients in the Reduction of Events with Darbepoetin alfa in Heart Failure trial (RED-HF).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This report describes the baseline characteristics of patients in the Reduction of Events with Darbepoetin alfa in Heart Failure trial (RED-HF) which is testing the hypothesis that anaemia correction with darbepoetin alfa will reduce the composite endpoint of death from any cause or hospital admission for worsening heart failure, and improve other outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Key demographic, clinical, and laboratory findings, along with baseline treatment, are reported and compared with those of patients in other recent clinical trials in heart failure. Compared with other recent trials, RED-HF enrolled more elderly [mean age 70 (SD 11.4) years], female (41%), and black (9%) patients. RED-HF patients more often had diabetes (46%) and renal impairment (72% had an estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2). Patients in RED-HF had heart failure of longer duration [5.3 (5.4) years], worse NYHA class (35% II, 63% III, and 2% IV), and more signs of congestion. Mean EF was 30% (6.8%). RED-HF patients were well treated at randomization, and pharmacological therapy at baseline was broadly similar to that of other recent trials, taking account of study-specific inclusion/exclusion criteria. Median (interquartile range) haemoglobin at baseline was 112 (106-117) g/L.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The anaemic patients enrolled in RED-HF were older, moderately to markedly symptomatic, and had extensive co-morbidity.
authors: Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, BHF Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK.
authors: John J V
authors: JJ
authors: McMurray
authors: Inder S
authors: IS
authors: Anand
authors: Rafael
authors: R
authors: Diaz
authors: Aldo P
authors: AP
authors: Maggioni
authors: Christopher
authors: C
authors: O'Connor
authors: Marc A
authors: MA
authors: Pfeffer
authors: Scott D
authors: SD
authors: Solomon
authors: Michal
authors: M
authors: Tendera
authors: Dirk J
authors: DJ
authors: van Veldhuisen
authors: Moetaz
authors: M
authors: Albizem
authors: Sunfa
authors: S
authors: Cheng
authors: Debra
authors: D
authors: Scarlata
authors: Karl
authors: K
authors: Swedberg
authors: James B
authors: JB
authors: Young
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000740:Anemia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D002423:Cause of Death; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015897:Comorbidity; D000068256:Darbepoetin alfa; D003710:Demography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality; D006397:Hematinics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D006397:Hematinics; D004921:Erythropoietin; D000068256:Darbepoetin alfa