We evaluated the need for erythropoietin (EPO) treatment in 134 end-stage renal disease patients assuming a level of hemoglobin below 6 mmol/l (9.6 g/dl) as indication for treatment. 91 patients (68%) fulfilled this criterion. Absolute contraindications in 2 patients were previous thrombotic encephalopathy and refusal of treatment. Relative contraindications due to cardiac disease were found in 3 patients. In 15 patients additional treatment was required because of hypertension (5) or deficiency states (10). The implications of elevated serum PTH and aluminum overload are discussed.
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MoiaM, VizzottoL, CattaneoM, MannucciPN, CasatiS, PonticelliC.Improvement in the haemostatic defect of uraemia after treatment with recombinant human erythropoietin. Lancet1987; ii: 1227–9.
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MacDougallIC, LewisNP, SaundersMJ, Long-term cardio-respiratory effects of amelioration of renal anemia by erythropoietin. Lancet1990; 335: 489–93.
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HamplH, RiedelE, WendelG, StabellU, KesselM.Influence of parathyroid hormone on exogenous erythropoietin stimulated erythropoiesis in hemodialysis patients (Abstract). Kidney Int1988; 33: 224.
5.
CasatiS, PasseriniP, CampiseM, Benefits and risks of protracted treatment with human recombinant erythropoietin in patients having haemodialysis. Br Med J1987; 4: 1017–20.
6.
SchwartzKA, DombrouskiJ, Burnatowska-HledinM, MayorG.Microcytic anaemia in dialysis patients: Reversible marker of aluminum toxicity. Am J Kidney Dis1987; 9: 217–23.
