[Correction of anemia in hemodialysis, effect of intravenous iron without erythropoietin].
BACKGROUND
In the last two decades, the use of erythropoietin for the correction of anemia in hemodialysis patients has been recommended. In Chile, only 10% of hemodialysis patients use erythropoietin, therefore, the correction of iron deficiency must be optimized.


OBJECTIVE
To report the effects of intravenous iron without erythropoietin in the management of anemia in hemodialysis patients.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of 42 patients that received intravenous ferrous sacharate in doses of 100 mg/week during 5 weeks and 100 mg bimonthly during six months. These patients did not receive erythropoietin.


RESULTS
Thirty six patients had iron deficiency. Basal ferritin was 137 +/- 22 micrograms/l and increased to 321 +/- 28 micrograms/l after treatment. Packed red cell volume increased from 24 +/- 2% to 29 +/- 3%. No adverse effects were reported.


CONCLUSIONS
Iron deficiency is frequent in hemodialyzed patients. Intraveineous iron is safe and effective in the treatment of iron deficiency in these patients.
D000328:Adult; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007501:Iron / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D004921:Erythropoietin; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron
Corrección de la anemia en hemodiálisis, efecto del fierro intravenoso sin eritropoyetina.