TRANSFUSIONS IN SURGERY - CAN THEY FURTHE R BE DECREASED WITH RECOMBINANT-HUMAN-ERYTHROPOIETIN

New agents such as recombinant human erythropoietin (rHu EPO) modify c onventional transfusionnal strategies. For accurate indications, such as, anaemia associated with chronic renal failure, cancer or cardiac d isease, the preoperative prescription of rHu EPO may reduce transfusio n requirements. rHu EPO may also be associated with pre-deposit transf usion in patients with anaemia before blood donation, when the transfu sion needs are high, or the period for blood pre-deposit donation shor tened. Postoperatively rHu EPO is only efficient if it is administered for a prolonged period; this condition limits its indications and Val ue because of its high cost.