Determination of Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) in Patients with Congestive Heart Failure

Abstract

This is a case control study conducted at Alshaab Teaching Hospital in Khartoum state during September 2014 to January 2015. The study was designed to determine the red cell distribution width in patients with congestive heart failure. The study population was 100 patients with congestive heart failure and 50 healthy subjects as control. The red cell distribution width was determined using Hematological analyzer (Sysmex KX-21). Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0 software. The RDW-SD values were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the congestive heart failure patients (57.30±.729 fL) compared with the control group (42.30±.378 fL). Also the RDW-CV values were found to be significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the congestive heart failure patients (18.28±.267%) compared with the control group (13.85±.613%). No variation was observed in either RDW-SD or RDW-CV values with gender. The results also showed that the RDW-SD was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in age group between 66-85 years (58.75±1.039 fL) than the other groups. While the RDW-CV was not affected in all age group. These results concluded that RDW parameters may be a good markers in patients with congestive heart failure.