HEMORHEOLOGY AND FISTULA FUNCTION IN HOME HEMODIALYSIS-PATIENTS FOLLOWING ERYTHROPOIETIN TREATMENT - A PROSPECTIVE PLACEBO-CONTROLLED STUDY

The beneficial effect of correcting anemia in end stage renal failure using recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) is sometimes complicat ed by thrombosis of the arteriovenous fistula. This placebo-controlled study investigated the relationship between hemorheological changes c aused by rHuEPO and alterations in fistula function and heparin requir ements in home hemodialyis patients. Erythropoietin induced a rise in high shear rate blood viscosity, a determinant of blood flow in large vessels. Doppler assessment of brachial artery blood flows, tests of f istula function and heparin requirements were similar in the two patie nt groups. These findings indicate that rHuEPO treatment of renal anem ia resulted in the expected rise in red blood cell mass and blood visc osity although these changes did not cause problems with arteriovenous access or alter fistula function in the short term.