title: [Anemia and erythropoietin in critically ill patients].
abstract: The transfusion of red blood cells is still associated with possible adverse effects and a residual risk of transmission of viral and nonviral diseases. In addition, there is an increasing shortage of blood supply worldwide. These two facts together with the success experienced in the treatment of various types of anemia with recombinant human EPO, have recently led to an increasing interest in the anemia of critically ill patients. As in the anemia of chronic diseases there are several reasons that contribute to the development of anemia in patients on intensive care units: pre-existing anemia, blood loss, reduced red cell life span, impaired iron availability and a direct inhibition of erythropoiesis by inflammatory cytokines. The implications of anemia for the progression and prognosis of critical illness are still unclear and the optimal treatment, including optimal "transfusion triggers" remains controversial. Recombinant human EPO has been proven to be effective in ameliorating the anemia of critical illness in several pilot studies and is currently being tested in larger trials.
authors.affiliation: Universitätsklinikum Charité der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Medizinische Klinik m. S. Nephrologie und Internistische Intensivmedizin.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baginski
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Körner
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Frei
authors.forename: K-U
authors.initials: KU
authors.lastname: Eckardt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000740:Anemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D002648:Child; D003422:Critical Care; D016638:Critical Illness; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion / Q000009:adverse effects; D004920:Erythropoiesis / Q000502:physiology; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D058085:Iron Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D033221:Jehovah's Witnesses; D008875:Middle Aged; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010919:Placebos; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D017701:Reticulocyte Count; D013997:Time Factors; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D006454:Hemoglobins; D058085:Iron Compounds; D010919:Placebos; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin