Comparative Effectiveness of Intravenous Ferric Carboxymaltose, Ferric Derisomaltose, and Iron Sucrose in Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction: A Network Meta-Analysis of 15 Randomized Trials

BackgroundIron deficiency affects nearly half of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and is associated with impaired functional capacity, recurrent hospitalizations, and increased mortality. Intravenous iron therapy improves exercise tolerance, but the comparative effectiveness of different formulations remains uncertain. ObjectivesTo compare the efficacy of ferric carboxymaltose, ferric derisomaltose, and iron sucrose in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and iron deficiency using a network meta-analysis. MethodsWe systematically searched PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science through August 2025 for randomized controlled trials of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose, ferric derisomaltose, or iron sucrose versus placebo. Fifteen randomized controlled trials published between 2007 and 2025 enrolling 7,761 patients were included. The primary outcomes were hospitalization for heart failure, all-cause mortality, and cardiovascular mortality. Secondary outcomes included change in six-minute walk distance, serum ferritin, and transferrin saturation. A frequentist random-effects network meta-analysis was performed, and treatment rankings were assessed using surface under the cumulative ranking curve probabilities. ResultsTwelve trials reported hospitalization for heart failure, showing significant reduction with ferric carboxymaltose (risk ratio 0.80, 95% confidence interval 0.69-0.92) and nonsignificant trends with ferric derisomaltose (0.80, 0.61-1.04) and iron sucrose (0.41, 0.15-1.07). No formulation reduced all-cause or cardiovascular mortality. Functional capacity improved with all formulations (mean difference +21.1 to +54.0 meters versus placebo), though heterogeneity was high. Ferritin and transferrin saturation increased significantly across all formulations, with the largest ferritin gain from ferric derisomaltose (+329 {micro}g/L) and the most consistent transferrin saturation improvement from ferric carboxymaltose (+7.1%). ConclusionsIn patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and iron deficiency, intravenous iron therapy--particularly ferric carboxymaltose--reduces hospitalization for heart failure, improves functional capacity, and corrects iron indices. Mortality benefits remain uncertain. These findings support guideline-endorsed use of intravenous iron, with ferric carboxymaltose as the best-studied option, while further outcome data for ferric derisomaltose and iron sucrose are needed.