HEMOSTATIC ASPECTS OF RECOMBINANT-HUMAN-ERYTHROPOIETIN IN COLORECTAL SURGERY

Objective: To find out whether recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuE PO) given perioperatively has any effect on haemostatic activity in pa tients undergoing elective colorectal resection. Design: A placebo-con trolled double-blind study. Setting: Odense university hospital, Denma rk Subjects: 24 patients undergoing elective colorectal resection, 13 of whom were given r-HuEPO (Eprex(R)) and 11 placebo. Main outcome mea sures. Concentrations of haemoglobin, tissue-type plasminogen activato r and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1; activated partial thromboplas tin time; prothrombin time; platelet and reticulocyte counts; blood lo ss; and transfusions. Results: There was no significant change in fibr inolytic activity, prothrombin time, or activated prothrombin time in the treatment group. Platelet counts differed slightly but not signifi cantly, being higher in the r-HuEPO group. There was a significant inc rease in reticulocyte counts in the r-HuEPO group. Conclusion: R-HuEPO given perioperatively significantly increased erythropoiesis in patie nts undergoing elective colorectal operations but had no influence on haemostatic activity.