Statin Pleiotropic Effects — EECC MCQ

Correct answer: C — Administer intravenous ferric carboxymaltose after stabilisation

The best answer is “Administer intravenous ferric carboxymaltose after stabilisation”. Intravenous iron after stabilisation replenishes iron effectively and reduces recurrent HF hospitalisation in appropriately selected iron-deficient patients. “Prescribe oral ferrous sulfate as an equivalent intervention” is less appropriate because oral iron has not shown equivalent functional or outcome benefit in HFrEF “Give erythropoietin until haemoglobin exceeds 160 g/L” is less appropriate because erythropoietin adds thrombotic risk and is not iron replacement “Withhold iron because acute admission makes testing invalid” is less appropriate because iron indices remain clinically actionable once the acute patient is stabilised “Use repeated blood transfusion despite stable haemoglobin” is less appropriate because transfusion is unnecessary and hazardous without severe symptomatic anaemia

Reference: 2021 ESC Guidelines for acute and chronic heart failure. https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/42/36/3599/6358045