Evidence-based recommendations for the clinical use of recombinant human erythropoietin.
In an era of increasing scrutiny regarding use of health care resources, it is critical that physicians have rational, evidence-based guidelines for treatment decisions. This review of more than 200 published papers constitutes a comprehensive approach to evaluating the current evidence regarding the clinical use of recombinant human erythropoietin therapy in renal failure patients. After this review, specific recommendations are provided regarding who should receive r-HuEPO; what the target hemoglobin should be; the best route of administration of r-HuEPO; how iron status should be evaluated and managed; and monitoring and follow-up of patients taking r-HuEPO. Throughout the article, areas for important future research are also identified.
Muirhead
N
N
Department of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
Bargman
J
J
Burgess
E
E
Jindal
K K
KK
Levin
A
A
Nolin
L
L
Parfrey
P
P
D000740:Anemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006435:Renal Dialysis
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin