RECOMBINANT-HUMAN-ERYTHROPOIETIN AS ADJUVANT TREATMENT FOR AUTOLOGOUSBLOOD DONATION - A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY

In a prospective randomized study we investigated the potential of sub cutaneous recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEpo) as adjuvant treatme nt for autologous blood transfusions (3 units) in elective surgery. Fo ur and 2 weeks before surgery, 49 patients received 6 x 10,000 U of rh Epo. DELTAHb values (days -28 and 0) of the rhEpo group were compared to DELTAHb values of 52 controls (no rhEpo). Reticulocytes were measur ed at days -21, -14, -7 and 0. Peri- and postoperative supplementary h omologous blood requirements were compared in the two randomized group s. DELTAHb of rhEpo group was 0.96g/dl (mean value) and 2.38 for contr ols. Reticulocyte count increased earlier and to higher levels in rhEp o-treated patients. Except in 1 case, Epo was well tolerated. These re sults indicate that autologous predonation (3 x 400 ml) does not creat e anemia if adjuvant Epo treatment is given. However, homologous blood requirements were not significantly different, which is probably due to the fact that 96 of the 101 treated patients underwent elective ort hopedic surgery requiring limited blood replacement. Significant benef it of the Epo regimen can be expected in elective cardiovascular and h epatic surgery where larger amounts of blood (5-6 units) are needed.