Red cell distribution width, C-reactive protein, the complete blood count, and mortality in patients with coronary disease and a normal comparison population

► Red cell distribution width (RDW) is associated with mortality in CAD patients. ► The etiology of RDW elevation is unknown. ► Elevation of RDW is not due to chronic inflammation as measured by hsCRP. ► RDW is also associated with mortality in controls and is not a coronary disease-specific or heart failure-specific marker. ► Despite an unknown pathophysiology, elevated RDW is a strong predictor of mortality.