title: Is there a role for erythropoietin in cardiovascular disease?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite the advances in the cardiovascular field, cardiovascular diseases remain an important health problem with a high mortality rate. Novel therapeutic attempts that target myocardial ischemia and heart failure offer attractive adjuncts and/or alternatives to commonly employed regimens. The development of novel laboratory technologies over the last decade has led to substantial progress in bringing new therapies to the bedside.
  
  
  METHODS
  Current experimental and clinical trials in the use of erythropoietin (EPO) in cardiovascular diseases are reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This review will widen knowledge of the therapeutic potential of EPO's non-erythropoietic beneficial effects in a clinical cardiovascular setting.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results from preclinical trials regarding the non-erythropoietic effects of erythropoietin are really encouraging. Further clinical studies are warranted to define the beneficial role of EPO in the clinical setting of coronary artery disease, heart failure and peripheral artery disease.
authors.affiliation: Athens University Medical School, Hippokration Hospital, First Cardiology Unit, Vasilissis Sofias 114, 115 28, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Georgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vogiatzi
authors.forename: Alexandros
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Briasoulis
authors.forename: Dimitris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tousoulis
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Papageorgiou
authors.forename: Christodoulos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stefanadis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000172:deficiency / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy; D017467:Receptors, Erythropoietin / Q000502:physiology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D017467:Receptors, Erythropoietin; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin