OBJECTIVES: The association between P wave dispersion and iron deficiency anemia has not been documented in the literature. In this study, we evaluated P wave dispersion in patients with iron deficiency anemia and the possible relationships between P wave dispersion and other echocardiographic parameters. INTRODUCTION: The iron status of an individual may play an important role in cardiovascular health. Anemia is an independent risk factor for adverse cardiovascular outcomes. P wave dispersion is a simple electrocardiographic marker that has a predictive value for the development of atrial fibrillation. Apart from cardiovascular diseases, several conditions, such as seasonal variation, alcohol intake and caffeine ingestion, have been demonstrated to affect P wave dispersion. METHODS: The study included 97 patients who had iron deficiency anemia and 50 healthy subjects. The cases were evaluated with a clinical examination and diagnostic tests that included 12-lead electrocardiography and transthoracic echocardiography. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, patients with iron deficiency anemia showed significantly longer maximum P wave duration (Pmax) (91.1±18.0 vs. 85.8±6.7 msec, p=0.054), P wave dispersion (PWD) (48.1±7.7 vs. 40.9±5.6 msec, p<0.001), mitral inflow deceleration time (DT) (197.5±27.9 vs. 178.8±8.9 msec, p<0.001) and isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT) (93.3±9.2 vs. 77.4±8.2 msec, p<0.001); they also showed increased heart rate (85.7±16.1 vs. 69.0±4.4, p<0.001) and frequency of diastolic dysfunction (7 (7.2%) vs. 0). Correlation analysis revealed that PWD was significantly correlated with IVRT, DT, heart rate, the presence of anemia and hemoglobin level. CONCLUSIONS: Iron deficiency anemia may be associated with prolonged P wave duration and dispersion and impaired diastolic left ventricular filling.

INTRODUCTION: The etiology of preeclampsia is not fully established. A few studies have shown a relationship between natural coagulation inhibitors and preeclampsia. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of natural coagulation inhibitors and active protein C resistance (APC-R) in preeclampsia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 70 women with preeclampsia recruited consecutively and 70 healthy pregnant and 70 nonpregnant women as controls. Plasma protein C (PC), free protein S (fPS), antithrombin III (ATIII) and APC-R were evaluated. RESULTS: ATIII values were found to be significantly lower in preeclamptic patients than in the control groups (p< 0.001). Nevertheless, there was no significant difference between the healthy pregnant and nonpregnant women groups (p=0.141). The fPS values of the preeclamptic and healthy pregnant groups were lower than that of the nonpregnant group (p< 0.001), and the fPS value of the preeclamptic pregnant women was lower than that of healthy pregnant women (p<0.001). The PC value of the preeclamptic pregnant women was lower than that of the control groups (p< 0.001). The PC value of the healthy pregnant women was lower than that of the nonpregnant women (p< 0.001). The mean APC activity values were lower in the preeclamptic patients than that of the control groups (p< 0.001, p< 0.001). The APC-R positivity rates of the preeclamptic groups were higher than that of the control groups (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that ATIII, fPS, PC values and APC resistance were lower and APC-R positivity was higher in preeclamptic women than in normal pregnant and nonpregnant women.

FUNDAMENTO: A variabilidade da frequência cardíaca (VFC) está associada com aumento do fator de risco cardíaco em várias condições. As concentrações de ferro apresentadas por um indivíduo podem ter um papel importante na saúde cardiovascular. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a VFC em pacientes com anemia ferropriva. MÉTODOS: Vinte e três pacientes com anemia ferropriva (hemoglobina (Hb) média = 8,6±2,2 g/dl) e 10 indivíduos saudáveis ( Hb média = 13,9±1,2 g/dl) foram avaliados através de monitoramento ambulatorial por 24 horas (Sistema Holter) durante estadia hospitalar com atividade física limitada. RESULTADOS: Embora a frequência cardíaca (FC) média tenha sido significantemente mais alta em pacientes com anemia, não houve diferença significativa em relação aos parâmetros da VFC quando comparados ao grupo saudável. CONCLUSÃO: Não há diferença significativa nos parâmetros da VFC entre pacientes com anemia ferropriva e indivíduos saudáveis.

BACKGROUND: Heart rate variability (HRV) is associated with increased cardiac risk factor in several conditions. The iron status of an individual may play an important role in cardiovascular health. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate heart rate variability in patients with iron deficiency anemia. METHODS: Twenty-three patients with iron deficiency anemia (mean hemoglobin (Hb) 8.6±2.2 g/dl) and 10 healthy people (mean Hb 13.9±1.2 g/dl) were assessed with 24-hour ambulatory Holter recordings during in hospital course having limited physical activity. RESULTS: Although mean heart rate was significantly higher in patients with anemia, there was no significant difference regarding HRV parameters compared to the healthy group. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in HRV parameters between patients with iron deficiency anemia with limited physical activity and healthy ambulatory people.

FUNDAMENTO: La variabilidad de la frecuencia cardiaca (VFC) está asociada al aumento del factor de riesgo cardiaco en varias condiciones. Las concentraciones de hierro presentadas por un individuo pueden ejercer un rol importante para la salud cardiovascular. OBJETIVO: Evaluar la VFC en pacientes con anemia ferropriva. MÉTODOS: Se evaluaron a 23 pacientes con anemia ferropriva (hemoglobina [Hb] media = 8,6±2,2 g/dL) y a 10 individuos sanos (Hb media = 13,9±1,2 g/dL) por medio de monitoreo ambulatorio por 24 horas (Sistema Holter) durante estadía hospitalaria con actividad física limitada. RESULTADOS: Aunque la frecuencia cardiaca (FC) media fue significantemente más alta en pacientes con anemia, no hubo diferencia significante respecto a los parámetros de la VFC en comparación con el grupo de individuos sanos. CONCLUSIONES: No hay diferencia significante en los parámetros de la VFC entre pacientes con anemia ferropriva e individuos sanos.