What does this research mean for the field?

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents reduce total CHF hospitalisation by 19% in patients with heart failure and anaemia, while also improving haemoglobin levels and exercise tolerance. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.SYNTHESIS. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the effectiveness of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in reducing hospitalisation for heart failure in patients with anaemia.

January 24, 2026European Journal of Heart FailureOpen Access

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents to reduce heart failure hospitalisation: A systematic review and meta-analysis

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Key result

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents reduced total CHF hospitalisation by 19% compared to control, with improved haemoglobin and exercise tolerance in patients with heart failure and anaemia.

Authors

KBKarina V BuntingHeart Failure & Transplant OȚOtilia ȚicaUniversity of Oradea ACAsgher ChampsiUniversity Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

Discussion

Member takes

Key expert perspectives

Captured external expert commentary on this paper, strongest first. Original sources are linked where available.

WCWriting Committee

“This guideline introduces AHA/ACC Acute Pulmonary Embolism Clinical Categories to improve severity classification and evidence-based management.”

AHA Professional Heart Daily

Implication

A systematic review shows erythropoiesis-stimulating agents reduce CHF hospitalisations in patients with anaemia, suggesting a potential benefit for management.

Key Points

To evaluate the effectiveness of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in reducing hospitalisation for heart failure in patients with anaemia.
Conducted a systematic review of randomised controlled trials
Included adults with chronic heart failure and anaemia
Compared any erythropoiesis-stimulating agents to placebo or no treatment
Performed a meta-analysis on 14 trials with 3,128 participants
No significant difference in first CHF hospitalisation between ESAs and control (OR 0.93, p=0.37)
Total CHF hospitalisation significantly reduced by ESAs (IRR 0.81, p<0.001)
No significant differences in all-cause mortality or adverse events between groups
ESA treatment increased haemoglobin levels by 1.6 g/dL (p<0.001) and improved exercise tolerance

Cite This Study

Bunting et al. (2026) studied this question. Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents reduced total CHF hospitalisation by 19% compared to control, with improved haemoglobin and exercise tolerance in patients with heart failure and anaemia.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69756609d5e0d64addde86b9 https://doi.org/10.1093/ejhf/xuaf012

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Implication

A systematic review shows erythropoiesis-stimulating agents reduce CHF hospitalisations in patients with anaemia, suggesting a potential benefit for management.