Effects of recombinant human erythropoietin on thrombosis and fibrinolysisin autologous transfusion for hip surgery

Recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) is effective in allowing autologo us blood donation in patients unable to donate because of anemia. As advers e effects of rHuEPO might include activation of coagulation and possibly fi brinolysis, we investigated these possibilities in the context of autologou s blood donation preceding hip surgery. Thirty-seven patients who donated 8 00 mi of autologous blood fur elective hip surgery were randomly assigned t o either a group of 20 receiving preoperative treatment with rHuEPO (erythr opoietin beta), 6000 U i.v. twice weekly for 3 weeks, or an untreated contr ol group of 17. A significant increase in platelet count was associated wit h autologous blood donation and intraoperative blood loss with or without r HuEPO. Coagulation and fibrinolysis were increased significantly by intraop erative blood loss in both groups, but not by rHuEPO, Coagulation and fibri nolysis were not activated by rHuEPO for elective hip surgery.