Red Cell Distribution Width: A Routinely Available Biomarker with Important Clinical Implications in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

Title:Red Cell Distribution Width: A Routinely Available Biomarker with Important Clinical Implications in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

Volume: 27 Issue: 37

Author(s): Anna C. Valenti, Marco Vitolo, Jacopo F. Imberti, Vincenzo Livio Malavasi and Giuseppe Boriani*

Affiliation:

• Cardiology Division, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Policlinico di Modena, Modena,Italy

Keywords: Ageing, atrial fibrillation, biomarker, inflammation, oxidative stress, red cell distribution width, risk factors, atrial cardiomyopathy.

Abstract: Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is an inexpensive marker of anisocytosis easily available in the standard complete blood cell count. Besides its traditional use in the differential diagnosis of anemias, RDW values reflect abnormalities in erythropoiesis and red blood cell metabolism related to aging, sex, ethnicity, systemic inflammatory state, and oxidative stress. Thus, higher RDW values are common findings in several acute clinical conditions and chronic diseases. Increasing evidence suggests a prognostic role of higher RDW levels in many cardiovascular diseases. Among them, we aimed to review current literature focusing on the possible relation between RDW and atrial fibrillation (AF). Since aging, inflammation, and atrial substrate remodeling have a well-established role in AF pathogenesis, AF burden, and patient prognosis, we analyzed available data exploring the possible use of RDW in identifying patients at higher risk of AF and as a biomarker of worse outcomes for AF patients.

Cite this article as:

Valenti C. Anna , Vitolo Marco , Imberti F. Jacopo , Malavasi Livio Vincenzo and Boriani Giuseppe*, Red Cell Distribution Width: A Routinely Available Biomarker with Important Clinical Implications in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2021; 27 (37) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612827666210211125847