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Abstract Background The role of hemoglobin (Hb) level in the short-term prognosis of patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) remains a matter of debate. We aimed to declare the prevalence of, association with, severity of, and prognostic role of SHL with ADHF. Methods Using the data from the Persian Registry Of Cardiovascular Disease/ Heart Failure (PROVE-HF) study, we assessed the association between anemia and polycythemia (Hb 16.5 g/dLit in males and 16 g/dLit in females, respectively) and short-term mortality using Cox proportional hazard modeling, with adjustment of clinically relevant variables. Results Of 3652 ADHF patients, anemia was seen in 1673 patients (48.40%). The prevalence of mild, moderate, and severe anemia was 42.33% (n = 1546), 3.23% (n = 118), and 0.24% (n = 9), respectively. Also, 422 patients (11.55%) had polycythemia. Compared to non-anemic patients, anemic patients were mainly male, older, and were more likely to have diabetes mellitus (DM), renal dysfunction, hypertension (HTN), and thyroid disease. Significant predictors of short-term mortality were lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure, lower Hb level, and higher blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Anemic patients had higher all-cause mortality [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.213, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.054–1.396]. Moderate anemia increased mortality by approximately 80% in males (aHR 1.793, 95% CI 1.308–2.458) and females (aHR 1.790, 95% CI 1.312–2.442), respectively. Polycythemia had no association with short-term mortality in both genders (P-value > 0.05). Conclusions This study revealed that anemia is an adverse prognostic factor for short-term mortality in ADHF patients, with higher mortality in moderately anemic patients.

BACKGROUND: Garlic may have anti-oxidanmayti-hypertensive and anti-hyperlipidemic properties. However, the effects of its administration on cardiac function in heart failure (HF) patients impact require further investigation. We aimed to evaluate garlic prescription effects on cardiac outcomes and quality of life scores in Iranian HF patients.METHODS: From August to December 2020, a randomized, double-blind clinical trial was conducted. Individuals with heart failure (New York heart association (NYHA) functional class of II and III) referred to private clinics in Isfahan, Iran, were randomly assigned to intervention (n=80) and control (n=80) groups. They have received 500 mg of odorless garlic tablets or the same shape and dosage of placebo twice daily for three months. Laboratory data, cardiac outcomes (end-diastolic diameter, ventricular septal thickness, NYHA functional class, left ventricular ejection fraction), quality of life score (Minnesota living with HF questionnaire), and the Modified Borg Scale (MBS) were all evaluated at the baseline and the end of the trial.RESULTS: The population’s mean age was 58.1±13.5 years (55% males). Patients who consumed garlic had remarkably improved functional class compared to placebo takers and their baseline (NYHA practical class of II, 79.4% vs. 50.6%, P