[Effectiveness of recombinant human erythropoietin in the treatment of transfusion-dependent anemia in patients on chronic dialysis].
Recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO) has recently become available for clinical trial and has been used for the first time in Austria for the treatment of transfusion dependent patients on chronic haemodialysis. Inclusion criteria into the study were baseline haemoglobin levels of less than or equal to 6 g/dl and transfusion requirements of greater than or equal to 1 unit of blood per month. r-HuEPO (CILAG/AMGEN/ORTHO) was administered intravenously 3 times weekly at the end of dialysis. The initial dose was 100 U/kg body weight at each administration and was increased by 25 U/kg if Hb levels failed to increase by greater than 5% of baseline at intervals of 3 weeks. All 9 patients studied showed an increase in Hb values to the desired value at least greater than or equal to 10 g/dl within 6 to 16 weeks and none of the patients required further blood transfusions. All patients reported subjective improvement of life quality and markedly increased working ability. Apart from minor episodes of bone pain and subfebrile temperatures after r-HuEPO administration no major side effects were noted. These preliminary results show that r-HuEPO (CILAG/AMGEN/ORTHO) is a safe and effective form of therapy for renal anaemia and one which opens new horizons in the management of patients on chronic haemodialysis.
II. Medizinische Universitätsklinik, Wien.
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D000740:Anemia / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006400:Hematocrit; D006452:Hemoglobinometry; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006435:Renal Dialysis
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin
Wirksamkeit von rekombinantem humanem Erythropoietin in der Behandlung der transfusionsabhängigen Anämie chronischer Dialysepatienten.