To review the use of erythropoietin for anemia in heart failure (HF).
DATA SOURCES
Peer-reviewed articles in MEDLINE (1966–June 2004) were identified and citations from available articles were reviewed using the search terms anemia, erythropoietin, and heart failure.
DATA SYNTHESIS
Anemia worsens HF prognosis. Clinical studies in patients with New York Heart Association Class III/IV HF who had hemoglobin <12 mg/dL and were refractory to maximal medical management showed that erythropoietin improves symptoms. Larger scale studies with mortality endpoints are required to confirm the benefits.
CONCLUSIONS
In selected patients with severe, chronic HF, erythropoietin may be considered for functional improvement. However, routine use of this treatment strategy is not recommended until more data are available.
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