Open AccessHow to Handle Erythropoietin in Orthopedic Surgery
Author(s) -
Earnshaw Peter
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
transfusion alternatives in transfusion medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1778-428X
pISSN - 1295-9022
DOI - 10.1111/j.1778-428x.2000.tb00024.x
Subject(s) - medicine , erythropoietin , orthopedic surgery , donation , hematocrit , surgery , intensive care medicine , economics , economic growth
SUMMARY Erythropoietin has been shown in numerous studies to be effective in raising the preoperative hematocrit and reducing the need for allogeneic transfusion in major orthopedic surgery 1–4 . Erythropoietin may be as good as or better than preoperative autologous 5 donation. The safety profile seems well established. There are still a number of unresolved questions regarding its use. Many of these questions relate to the cost‐effectiveness of this treatment. Erythropoietin is not appropriate for universal use; however, at times it may be the best or even the only treatment option available.