Open AccessMild chronic anemia following heart transplantation: a syndrome with prognostic relevance?
Author(s) -
Müller Helmut M.,
Aigner Reingard,
Horina Jórg H.,
Rehak Peter,
Lang Thomas,
Iberer Florian,
Wasler Andre,
Petutschnigg Berthold,
Allmayer Thomas,
Grasser Barbara,
Prenner Günter,
Schaffellner Silvia,
Tscheliessnigg KarlHeinz
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
transplant international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.998
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1432-2277
pISSN - 0934-0874
DOI - 10.1111/j.1432-2277.1998.tb00829.x
Subject(s) - medicine , anemia , erythropoietin , transplantation , heart transplantation , clinical significance , gastroenterology
The clinical relevance of mild chronic anemia in patients after heart transplantation (HTX) has not yet been demonstrated. Forty‐five outpatients who had undergone HTX 2–99 months prior to investigation and who had not received blood transfusions or erythropoietin (EPO) before data acquisition were observed over a period of 37 months. Anemia was found in 36 of the 45 patients and was normocyte, normochromic, and slightly anisocytotic (coefficient of variation = 16 ± 2, normal 11.5–14.5). Anemic patients showed elevated EPO levels, whereas in nonanemic patients EPO levels were normal. Survival after HTX differed significantly in anemic and nonanemic patients ( P < 0.02), with 100% survival in the nonanemic and 85% in the anemic group. Chronic anemia in patients after HTX shows a typical pattern. Even when mild, anemia in patients after HTX seems to be of prognostic value and thus might be an indicator of chronic disorders.