title: Is anemia a new cardiovascular risk factor?
abstract: Anemia is frequent in patients with cardiovascular disease and is often characterized as the fifth cardiovascular risk factor. It is considered to develop due to a complex interaction of iron deficiency, cytokine production and impaired renal function, although other factors, such as blood loss, may also contribute. Unfortunately, treatment of anemia in cardiovascular disease lacks clear targets and specific therapy is not defined. Treatment with erythropoietin-stimulating agents in combination with iron is the basic strategy but clear guidelines are not currently available. This review aims to clarify poorly investigated and defined issues concerning the relation of anemia and cardiovascular risk--in particular in patients with acute coronary syndromes and chronic heart failure--as well as the current therapeutic strategies in these clinical conditions.
authors: 1st Propaedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors: Georgia
authors: G
authors: Kaiafa
authors: 1st Propaedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors: Ilias
authors: I
authors: Kanellos
authors: 1st Propaedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors: Christos
authors: C
authors: Savopoulos
authors: 1st Propaedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors: Nikolaos
authors: N
authors: Kakaletsis
authors: Cardiology Department, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Giannakoulas
authors: 1st Propaedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. Electronic address: axatzito@med.auth.gr.
authors: Apostolos I
authors: AI
authors: Hatzitolios
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Acute coronary syndromes (ACS); Acute myocardial infarction (AMI); Anemia; Chronic heart failure (CHF); Heart failure (HF)