On the need for erythropoietin treatment in dialysis patients. A Copenhagen City Dialysis Unit study.
We evaluated the need for erythropoietin (EPO) treatment in 134 end-stage renal disease patients assuming a level of hemoglobin below 6 mmol/l (9.6 g/dl) as indication for treatment. 91 patients (68%) fulfilled this criterion. Absolute contraindications in 2 patients were previous thrombotic encephalopathy and refusal of treatment. Relative contraindications due to cardiac disease were found in 3 patients. In 15 patients additional treatment was required because of hypertension (5) or deficiency states (10). The implications of elevated serum PTH and aluminum overload are discussed.
Stenver
D
D
Department of Nephrology, Hvidovre Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Nielsen
B
B
D000740:Anemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D000075202:Contraindications; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006436:Hemodialysis Units, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin