The efficacy of pre-operative erythropoietin therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether a single weekly low dose of erythropoietin (EPO), haematenics and antimalarials is effective in increasing the pre-operative haemoglobin of patients coming for potential blood losing surgery.


METHODS
A prospective observational study.


METHODS
The Korle-bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana.


METHODS
Thirty one patients with low haemoglobin scheduled for potential blood losing surgery.


RESULTS
A mean weekly dose of EPO administered of 10,840 +/- 640 IU raised the haemoglobin by 2-5g% above baseline levels in 28 (90.3%) of the patients. Twenty five (81%) of the patients had an uneventful normovolaemic haemodilution during their surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
A single weekly dose of 150 ug/kg of EPO, haematenics, chloroquine (anti-malarial) and a high protein diet is efficacious in raising the pre-operative haemoglobin in Ghanaian patients.
Aniteye
E A
EA
Department of Anaesthesia, University of Ghana Medical School, P.O. Box 4236, Accra, Ghana.
Sereboe
L
L
Kotei
D
D
Frimpong-Boateng
K
K
Adu-Gyamfi
Y
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002738:Chloroquine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana; D006397:Hematinics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
D000962:Antimalarials; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D006397:Hematinics; D006454:Hemoglobins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D002738:Chloroquine