Use of recombinant human erythropoietin in a Jehovah's Witness.
We report the case of a Jehovah's Witness who bled massively, refused blood transfusion, and survived profound anemia (hematocrit = 5.6%) intact. The patient was treated with recombinant human erythropoietin, parenteral iron, and oxygen. The pharmacology and hematopoietic response to erythropoietin are discussed. We suggest considering this therapy for acutely anemic patients who refuse transfusion to decrease the duration of the most severe anemia.
Koenig
H M
HM
Department of Anesthesiology, University of Illinois-Chicago College of Medicine 60612.
Levine
E A
EA
Resnick
D J
DJ
Meyer
W J
WJ
D000328:Adult; D000740:Anemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002585:Cesarean Section; D002835:Christianity; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000188:drug therapy*
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D010100:Oxygen