Can a simple iron infusion before heart surgery speed up recovery?
NCT ID NCT02632760
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tested whether giving an intravenous iron infusion to anemic patients before elective heart surgery helps them recover faster. Nearly 1,000 adults with anemia received either IV iron or a placebo 1 to 10 weeks before their surgery. The main goal was to see if the iron treatment increased the number of days patients were alive and out of the hospital within 90 days after surgery.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Ferric carboxymaltose (IV iron)
What this could lead to
If it works, this could become a standard way to treat anemia before heart surgery, helping patients recover more quickly and spend less time in the hospital.
What could go wrong
This is a completed phase 4 trial, so results are already available. However, IV iron may not benefit all anemic patients and carries a small risk of allergic reactions or side effects.
Disclaimer
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the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Alfred Health
Melbourne, Victoria, 3181, Australia