Haemostatic effects of recombinant human erythropoietin in chronic haemodialysis patients.
Recombinant human erythropoietin was administered for up to 40 weeks to nine patients on chronic haemodialysis. From the third week of administration onwards, not only haemoglobin and haematocrit but also the platelet count rose, the latter, however, transiently. Subnormal platelet aggregation before therapy also improved transiently and in parallel with the erythropoietin dosage. The bleeding time normalized in almost all patients. There were no major side-effects. We conclude that recombinant erythropoietin improves haemostasis in chronic haemodialysis patients by increasing the haematocrit and in addition transiently enhances platelet number and function.
van Geet
C
C
Centre for Thrombosis and Vascular Research, University of Leuven, Belgium.
Hauglustaine
D
D
Verresen
L
L
Vanrusselt
M
M
Vermylen
J
J
D000328:Adult; D001760:Bleeding Time; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000187:drug effects; D006487:Hemostasis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects; D010976:Platelet Count / Q000187:drug effects; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006435:Renal Dialysis
D006454:Hemoglobins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin