Abstract

Red cell distribution width (RDW) is a coefficient of variation of the distribution of individual red blood cell (RBC) volume, as determined by an automated blood cell counting instrument. Numerous studies conducted elsewhere have demonstrated increased RDW to be a significant prognostic marker in patients with heart failure (HF), both with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Aim: To study the relationship between RDW and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), the most significant echocardiographic parameter of left ventricular systolic function, in patients with HF. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study conducted in 52 patients with HF who attended medical emergency/outpatient services of Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, Amritsar. In patients with HF, RDW was evaluated using an automated analyzer, while LVEF was determined by echocardiography. The correlation between RDW and LVEF was analyzed using the Pearson Correlation method. Results: The Pearson Correlation coefficient between LVEF and RDW-CV was found to be -0.861, indicating a strong negative correlation. This correlation was statistically highly significant (p < 0.001) and remained significant even after adjusting for other potential confounding factors such as diabetes mellitus (DM), dyslipidemia, and hypertension (HTN). Conclusion: RDW levels were higher in HF patients with low LVEF, correlating with left ventricular systolic dysfunction severity.

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