[Treatment of iron overload with combination of recombinant human erythropoietin and phlebotomy].
A patient of Coombs negative autoimmune hemolytic anemia was massively transfused of 162 units concentrated red blood cells in 3 months and developed iron overload disease which was confirmed by liver biopsy. Hemolysis was successfully treated with high-dose methyl-prednisolone therapy and splenectomy. To treat iron overload, we administered recombinant human erythropoietin (Epo) in combination with phlebotomy. Total iron removed for 5 months was about 4 g. Thus, combination of Epo and phlebotomy was effective for the treatment of iron overload disease. Furthermore, we compared a degree of clinical effect of subcutaneous administration of Epo with that of intravenous administration in the clinical course and found the former more effective.
Nagafuji
K
K
1st Department of Internal Medicine, Kyushu University.
Shibuya
T
T
Yanagida
K
K
Okamura
T
T
Nakamura
M
M
Harada
M
M
Niho
Y
Y
Yamano
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D001815:Bloodletting; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012806:Siderosis / Q000628:therapy*
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin