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Critical Care
Published in: Critical Care 5/2005

Open Access 01-10-2005 | Research

Recombinant human erythropoietin therapy in critically ill patients: a dose-response study [ISRCTN48523317]

Authors: Dimitris Georgopoulos, Dimitris Matamis, Christina Routsi, Argiris Michalopoulos, Nina Maggina, George Dimopoulos, Epaminondas Zakynthinos, George Nakos, George Thomopoulos, Kostas Mandragos, Alice Maniatis, the Critical Care Clinical Trials Greek Group

Published in: Critical Care | Issue 5/2005

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Abstract

Introduction

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of two dosing schedules of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) in increasing haematocrit (Hct) and haemoglobin (Hb) and reducing exposure to allogeneic red blood cell (RBC) transfusion in critically ill patients.

Method

This was a prospective, randomized, multicentre trial. A total of 13 intensive care units participated, and a total of 148 patients who met eligibility criteria were enrolled. Patients were randomly assigned to receive intravenous iron saccharate alone (control group), intravenous iron saccharate and subcutaneous rHuEPO 40,000 units once per week (group A), or intravenous iron saccharate and subcutaneous rHuEPO 40,000 units three times per week (group B). rHuEPO was given for a minimum of 2 weeks or until discharge from the intensive care unit or death. The maximum duration of therapy was 3 weeks.

Results

The cumulative number of RBC units transfused, the average numbers of RBC units transfused per patient and per transfused patient, the average volume of RBCs transfused per day, and the percentage of transfused patients were significantly higher in the control group than in groups A and B. No significant difference was observed between group A and B. The mean increases in Hct and Hb from baseline to final measurement were significantly greater in group B than in the control group. The mean increase in Hct was significantly greater in group B than in group A. The mean increase in Hct in group A was significantly greater than that in control individuals, whereas the mean increase in Hb did not differ significantly between the control group and group A.

Conclusion

Administration of rHuEPO to critically ill patients significantly reduced the need for RBC transfusion. The magnitude of the reduction did not differ between the two dosing schedules, although there was a dose response for Hct and Hb to rHuEPO in these patients.
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Metadata
Title
Recombinant human erythropoietin therapy in critically ill patients: a dose-response study [ISRCTN48523317]
Authors
Dimitris Georgopoulos
Dimitris Matamis
Christina Routsi
Argiris Michalopoulos
Nina Maggina
George Dimopoulos
Epaminondas Zakynthinos
George Nakos
George Thomopoulos
Kostas Mandragos
Alice Maniatis
the Critical Care Clinical Trials Greek Group
Publication date
01-10-2005
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Critical Care / Issue 5/2005
Electronic ISSN: 1364-8535
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/cc3786

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