[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.
1st Department of Internal Medicine, Kyushu University.
K
K
Nagafuji
T
T
Shibuya
K
K
Yanagida
T
T
Okamura
M
M
Nakamura
M
M
Harada
Y
Y
Niho
Y
Y
Yamano
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