THE EFFECT OF ERYTHROPOIETIN ON PLATELET-FUNCTION AND FIBRINOLYSIS INCHRONIC VENAL FAILURE

The influence of erythropoietin therapy on platelet function and fibri nolysis was evaluated in 12 anemic hemodialysis patients. Six months o f therapy with human erythropoietin (50 to 80 IU/kg initially) raised the hemoglobin level to 10.8 g/dl but did not increase platelet activi ty in vivo as measured by beta-thromboglobulin or platelet factor 4. T here was no change in the platelet aggregation thresholds in vitro for ADP, adrenaline, thrombin or collagen during treatment. Platelet numb er and volume were also unaffected. Fibrinolytic activity intensified as erythropoietin treatment proceeded, with a fall of euglobulin clot lysis time and rise in the activity of t-PA. PAI-1 levels also showed a downward trend, without reaching significance. Thus erythropoietin t reatment in modest doses does not seem to adversely influence the hemo static system in patients on hemodialysis.