O. Sowade et al., STIMULATION OF ERYTHROPOIESIS THROUGH REC OMBINANT-HUMAN-ERYTHROPOIETIN IN PATIENTS WITH LEFT-HEART ASSIST DEVICE AFTER POLYTRANSFUSION, Herz, Kreislauf, 27(1), 1995, pp. 15-18
We are demonstrating the possibility of stimulation of erythropoiesis
through high-dose treatment with recombinant human erythropoietin (rhE
PO) in two patients with dilated cardiomyopathy after implantation of
left heart assist device and postoperative polytransfusion. Patient 1
presented a prompt elevation of packed cell volume (10 vol. %) within
10 days, due to the good availability of iron and to raising of humora
l erythropoiesis inhibition by high-dose rhEPO. Because of CMV infecti
on patient 2 had a delayed response, by reason of reduced iron availab
ility at the beginning of the treatment. During the rhEPO therapy an i
mprovement of physical well-being in both patients was noted. This exa
mple describes the treatment of non-renal anemia with rhEPO and shows
a possibility to diminish the postoperative homologous blood transfusi
ons.