Premium
Recombinant human erythropoietin may correct erythropoietin‐deficient hyporegenerative anaemia in children given cardiac transplantation
Author(s) -
Locatelli Franco,
Zecca Marco,
Mamprin Filippo,
Gamba Amando,
Giorgiani Giovanna,
Stefano Piero De
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2141.1994.tb05085.x
Subject(s) - erythropoietin , erythropoiesis , medicine , transplantation , recombinant dna , adverse effect , anemia , immunology , biology , biochemistry , gene
Summary. Cyclosporin‐A reduces erythropoietin production and, together with the inhibitory effect of cytokines on erythropoiesis, may be potentially responsible for the anaemia observed in some patients after heart transplantation. Two children given cardiac transplantation and receiving cyclosporin‐A developed transfusion‐dependent hyporegenerative anaemia. Erythropoietin production was inappropriately low for the degree of anaemia, with an observed/predicted log(serum EPO) ratio of 0.54 and 0.49, respectively. The children were treated with rHuEPO at a dose of 75U/kg three times weekly for 1 month and then twice weekly via subcutaneous injection. No further transfusion was necessary and restoration of normal erythroid activity was obtained, with normal haemoglobin values. No adverse effects were observed. Our experience suggests that recombinant human erythropoietin may be useful in treating the anaemia associated with cardiac transplantation.