title: Erythrocytapheresis with recombinant human erythropoietin in hereditary hemochromatosis therapy: a new alternative.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purposes of this study were to evaluate the tolerance, efficacy and safety of isovolemic erythrocytapheresis (EA) in nonanemic patients with hereditary hemochromatosis (HH), and to assess the usefulness of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) associated with EA to reduce treatment duration.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 10 asymptomatic patients with serum ferritin >400 microg/l, transferrin saturation >50%, and GPT elevation, EA with rHuEPO and folic acid was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Red cell indices, serum ferritin, and other iron metabolism parameters (serum iron, transferrin, and transferrin saturation); GPT and other laboratory data were considerably improved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This method offers better results in less time than traditional phlebotomy. EA with rHuEPO is an effective therapeutic alternative for patients with HH.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Transfusion Medicine and Immunotherapy, and Gastroenterology, Hospital de Clínicas, University of Buenos Aires School of Medicine, Buenos Aires, Argentina. aikohan@intramed.net.ar
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kohan
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Niborski
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Daruich
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rey
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bastos
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Amerise
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Herrera
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: García
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Olivera
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Santarelli
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Avalos
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Findor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001781:Blood Component Removal; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006432:Hemochromatosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin