The role of preoperative epoetin alfa in men undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy.
OBJECTIVE
The safety and effects on hematocrit of recombinant human erythropoietin (epoetin alfa) were evaluated in men undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy.


METHODS
Between February 1, 1997 and November 2, 1998, 305 men with clinically localized adenocarcinoma of the prostate underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy performed by a single surgeon (H. L.). Of these men 283 with a baseline hematocrit of less than 48% received 600 IU/kg. epoetin alfa 14 days (-14) and 7 days (-7) before radical retropubic prostatectomy. Hematocrit was measured at baseline on day -14, on day -7, just before anesthesia induction on day 0, immediately postoperatively and on the day of discharge home. The number of allogeneic units transfused, and all intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded.


RESULTS
Mean hematocrit at baseline on day -14 and at induction on day 0 was 42.9% and 45.8%, respectively (p = 0.0001). The frequency of hematocrit decreasing, showing no change or increasing 0.1 to 1.9, 2.0 to 3.9 or greater than 4.0 hematocrit points was 16.5%, 0.5%, 23%, 22% and 38%, respectively. Of the men 17% had no increase in hematocrit. A weak correlation existed between baseline hematocrit and the erythropoietic response to epoetin alfa (r2 = 0.06). Mean change in hematocrit after treatment with epoetin alfa in the quartile baseline hematocrit groups 34.2 to 41.4, 41.5 to 43.2, 43.3 to 44.9 and 45.0 to 48.0 hematocrit points was 3.71, 2.45, 3.86 and 1.02 hematocrit points, respectively. Of the surgical candidates 22 (9.1%) achieved an induction hematocrit of greater than 51%. Of the 283 men receiving epoetin alfa 21 (7.4%) also received an allogeneic transfusion. The transfusion rate did not correlate with induction hematocrit. The only adverse cardiovascular event was an uncomplicated postoperative pulmonary embolus.


CONCLUSIONS
Our prospective study demonstrates that epoetin alfa given preoperatively in 2 doses of 600 IU/kg. is safe for significantly increasing hematocrit in men before radical retropubic prostatectomy. It is intuitive that the significant increase in hematocrit decreases the requirement for allogeneic blood transfusion.
Rosenblum
N
N
Department of Urology, New York University Medical Center, New York 10016, USA.
Levine
M A
MA
Handler
T
T
Lepor
H
H
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000601:surgery*; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006397:Hematinics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011468:Prostatectomy; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D006397:Hematinics; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa