What is heart failure cells?

Heart failure cells, also known as hemosiderin-laden macrophages, are a type of cell found in the lungs of patients with heart failure. They are formed when blood accumulates in the lungs due to a decrease in cardiac output, causing red blood cells to leak out of the capillaries and into the alveoli. Macrophages in the lungs then phagocytize the hemoglobin from these leaked red blood cells, leading to the accumulation of iron-rich hemosiderin in the macrophages.

The presence of heart failure cells in the lungs is a hallmark feature of congestive heart failure, and their detection on microscopic examination of lung tissue can help diagnose the condition. Heart failure cells are typically seen as small, brownish-yellow granules within the cytoplasm of macrophages in lung tissue samples.

While heart failure cells are not harmful in themselves, their presence in the lungs is a sign of cardiac dysfunction and can contribute to the symptoms of heart failure, such as shortness of breath and coughing. Treatment for heart failure aims to improve cardiac output and reduce fluid buildup in the lungs, which can help alleviate the formation of heart failure cells and improve symptoms.