A Study Correlation Between Serum Ferritin Levels and Clinical Outcomes in Heart Failure Patients

Background: Heart failure (HF) ‘ remains a major global health burden, and identifying reliable biomarkers that reflect disease severity is essential for early risk stratification. Serum ferritin, an indicator of iron status and inflammation, may serve as a useful predictor of HF severity. Aim: To evaluate the association between serum ferritin levels and clinical, biochemical, and echocardiographic markers of severity in HF patients. Methodology: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 90 HF patients at a tertiary care center. Detailed clinical evaluation, laboratory investigations including ferritin, hepcidin, and hs-CRP, and echocardiographic assessment were performed. Statistical analyses included correlation and ROC analysis. Results: The mean age of participants was 58.6 ± 10.4 years, with 62.2% males. Serum ferritin showed significant positive correlations with NYHA class (r = 0.41) and hs-CRP (r = 0.48), and negative correlations with hemoglobin (r = –0.22) and LVEF (r = –0.39). Higher ferritin levels were associated with ventricular dilatation and increased inflammatory activity. ROC analysis identified ferritin >180 ng/mL as a predictor of severe HF (AUC 0.78, sensitivity 74%, specificity 72%). Conclusion: Serum ferritin is a valuable, accessible biomarker reflecting inflammation, iron dysregulation, and cardiac dysfunction, demonstrating good predictive utility for HF severity