Nucleated Red Blood Cells in Congestive Heart Failure

Abstract

Five patients with congestive heart failure who had peripheral nucleated red cells are reported and the literature is reviewed. We believe that bone marrow anoxia is the cause for the premature or abnormal release of nucleated red cells in congestive heart failure. The presence of nucleated red cells in the peripheral blood of patients with congestive heart failure is suggestive of a poor prognosis.