Relationship Between Red Cell Distribution Width and Stroke in Patients With Stable Chronic Heart Failure: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis

Aim: We aimed to investigate the association between baseline red cell distribution width (RDW) level and the risk of stroke in patients with heart failure (HF). Methods: A total of 153 consecutive patients with HF (New York Heart Association [NYHA] I-III and left ventricular ejection fraction of < 40%) were included in this prospective study. All the patients were followed up for 1 year, and during this period the cerebrovascular disease was questioned. Results: In matched population, using propensity score matching comparing patients with HF having stroke with patients without stroke, we found significantly increased basal RDW and serum uric acid. The receiver-operating characteristic curves of RDW for predicting stroke are performed. An RDW >= 15.2% measured on admission had 87% sensitivity and 74% specificity in predicting stroke in patients with HF (area under the curve: 0.923, 95% confidence interval: 0.852-0.994, P <.001). Conclusion: In conclusion, this study demonstrated that RDW may be important hematological indices for stroke in patients with HF using propensity score analysis.