title: Recombinant human erythropoietin as adjuvant treatment for autologous blood donation. A prospective study.
abstract: In a prospective randomized study we investigated the potential of subcutaneous recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEpo) as adjuvant treatment for autologous blood transfusions (3 units) in elective surgery. Four and 2 weeks before surgery, 49 patients received 6 x 10,000 U of rhEpo. delta Hb values (days -28 and 0) of the rhEpo group were compared to delta Hb values of 52 controls (no rhEpo). Reticulocytes were measured at days -21, -14, -7 and 0. Peri- and postoperative supplementary homologous blood requirements were compared in the two randomized groups. delta Hb of rhEpo group was 0.96 g/dl (mean value) and 2.38 for controls. Reticulocyte count increased earlier and to higher levels in rhEpo-treated patients. Except in 1 case, Epo was well tolerated. These results indicate that autologous predonation (3 x 400 ml) does not create anemia if adjuvant Epo treatment is given. However, homologous blood requirements were not significantly different, which is probably due to the fact that 96 of the 101 treated patients underwent elective orthopedic surgery requiring limited blood replacement. Significant benefit of the Epo regimen can be expected in elective cardiovascular and hepatic surgery where larger amounts of blood (5-6 units) are needed.
authors.affiliation: Blood Transfusion Centre, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Beris
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mermillod
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Laubriat
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soulier-Lauper
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tullen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hugli
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Miescher
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000740:Anemia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous; D004920:Erythropoiesis / Q000187:drug effects; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009985:Orthopedics; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D005492:Folic Acid; D007501:Iron; D014805:Vitamin B 12