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Recombinant Human Erythropoietin as Adjuvant Treatment for Autologous Blood Donation: A Prospective Study
Author(s) -
Beris P.,
SoulierLauper M.,
Tullen E.,
Hugli A.,
Miescher P. A.,
Mermillod B.,
Levy G.,
Laubriat M.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
vox sanguinis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.68
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1423-0410
pISSN - 0042-9007
DOI - 10.1111/j.1423-0410.1993.tb02152.x
Subject(s) - medicine , erythropoietin , autologous blood , regimen , reticulocyte , surgery , adjuvant , anemia , prospective cohort study , blood transfusion , donation , randomized controlled trial , anesthesia , biochemistry , chemistry , messenger rna , economics , gene , economic growth
In a prospective randomized study we investigated the potential of subcutaneous recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEpo) as adjuvant treatment for autologous blood transfusions (3 units) in elective surgery. Four and 2 weeks before surgery, 49 patients received 6 times 10,000 U of rhEpo. ΔHb values (days ‐28 and 0) of the rhEpo group were compared to ΔHb values of 52 controls (no rhEpo). Reticulocytes were measured at days ‐21, ‐14, ‐7 and 0. Peri‐ and postoperative supplementary homologous blood requirements were compared in the two randomized groups. ΔHb of rhEpo group was 0.96 g/dl (mean value) and 2.38 for controls. Reticulocyte count increased earlier and to higher levels in rhEpo‐treated patients. Except in 1 case, Epo was well tolerated. These results indicate that autologous predonation (3 times 400 ml) does not create anemia if adjuvant Epo treatment is given. However, homologous blood requirements were not significantly different, which is probably due to the fact that 96 of the 101 treated patients underwent elective orthopedic surgery requiring limited blood replacement. Significant benefit of the Epo regimen can be expected in elective cardiovascular and hepatic surgery where larger amounts of blood (5–6 units) are needed.