Use of recombinant human erythropoietin in kidney transplant patients with stable graft function.
The purpose of this work was to determine the necessity for rhuEPO for 50 kidney transplant patients with stable graft function. We analyzed the red cell series, blood pressure, renal function, anthropometric data of the donor and recipient, proteinuria, and relationship with other factors, including immunosuppressants, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB). The patients were divided into three groups depending on renal function: group A (with plasma creatinine <150 micromol/L), group B (151-250 micromol/L), and group C (>250 micromol/L). All patients were studied for 1 year. Erythropoietin use did not affect renal function, proteinuria or number of antihypertensive drugs group. The degree of renal dysfunction determined the time necessary to reach an adequate hemoglobin level (>12 g/L) and and the mean dose of weekly rhuEPO needed. The use of ACE inhibitors or ARBs increased the rhuEPO requirements in each group.
Ortiz
F
F
Kidney Transplantation Unit, Fundació Puigvert, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. fabianortiz@hotmail.com
Guirado
L
L
Díaz
J
J
García-Trabanino
R
R
Garra
N
N
Sáinz
Z
Z
Picazo
M
M
García
R M
RM
Alcaraz
A
A
Solà
R
R
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D004906:Erythrocyte Count; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000502:physiology*; D011507:Proteinuria; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013997:Time Factors
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D003404:Creatinine