1.
Efficacy of post-operative intravenous iron in elective major urological surgery
Oliver A, Sierra P, Noe L, Monllau V, Ortiz JC
Transfusion Alternatives in Transfusion Medicine. 2010;11((Suppl 2):):33. Abstract No. P43.
2.
Preoperative epoetin alfa in colorectal surgery: a randomized, controlled study
Christodoulakis M, Tsiftsis DD, Hellenic Surgical Oncology Perioperative EPO Study Group
Annals of Surgical Oncology. 2005;12((9):):718-25.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer patients are often anemic before surgery, and this leads to an increased requirement for allogeneic blood transfusion. This may result in transfusion-induced immunosuppression, which in turn leads to increased morbidity and possibly an increased rate of tumor relapse. We investigated the possible benefits of perioperative epoetin alfa administration in anemic patients to correct hemoglobin levels and reduce transfusion needs. METHODS A total of 223 colorectal cancer patients with anemia scheduled for surgery were randomized to a group that received epoetin alfa 150 or 300 IU/kg/day subcutaneously for 12 days (day -10 to +1) or to a control group. All received iron (200 mg/day by mouth) for 10 days before surgery. Hemoglobin levels, hematocrit, and the number of blood units transfused were recorded. RESULTS A total of 204 patients were eligible for analysis. Mean hemoglobin levels and hematocrit were significantly higher in the 300 IU/kg group than in the control group, both 1 day before surgery (hemoglobin, P = . 008; hematocrit, P = . 0005) and 1 day after surgery (hemoglobin, P = . 011; hematocrit, P = . 0008). Blood loss during and after surgery was similar in all groups. Patients who received epoetin alfa 300 IU/kg required significantly fewer perioperative transfusion units than control patients (. 81 vs. 1. 32; P = . 016) and significantly fewer postoperative units (. 87 vs. 1. 33; P = . 023). There were no significant differences in the number of units in the 150 IU/kg group. CONCLUSIONS Preoperative epoetin alfa (300 IU/day) increases hemoglobin levels and hematocrit in colorectal surgery patients. These effects are associated with a reduced need for perioperative and postoperative transfusions.
3.
Preoperative epoetin alfa in colorectal surgery: a randomized controlled study
Taflampas P, Christodoulakis M, Sanidas E, Tsiftsis D
Transfusion Alternatives in Transfusion Medicine. 2004;6((1, Suppl):):90. Abstract No. P39.
4.
Preoperative use of erythropoietin (rH-EPO) and determination of optimal doses in patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy for future autologous blood transfusion Japanese
Inatsuchi H
Nippon Hinyokika Gakkai Zasshi - Japanese Journal of Urology. 1995;86((12):):1720-7.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, autologous blood transfusion has been widely endorsed, because of the adverse effects attributed to homologous blood transfusion. We found that the administration of recombinant human erythropoietin (rH-EPO) permitted the preoperative collection of an adequate volume of autologous blood in a short period of time. This reduced or eliminated the need for homologous blood transfusion. METHODS To determine optimal dosage of rH-EPO, I conducted a randomized, controlled trial in 86 patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) scheduled for transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR-P). The patients from whom approximately 10% of their total blood volume was removed, received six different doses of rH-EPO either intravenously or subctaneously. All patients received iron sulfate 100 mg orally once a day during the study. RESULTS I found that 9,000 IU of rH-EPO given intravenously daily or 10,500 IU of rH-EPO injected subcutaneously every third day for a week were optimal dosages. These schedules ennabled us to withdraw approximately 400 ml of blood prior to operation without adverse effects. CONCLUSION I conclude that the efficacy of rH-EPO is greater when administered subcutaneously rather than intravenously. It is clear that rH-EPO increases the ability of patients about to undergo selective surgery to donate greater amounts of blood for future autologous transfusion.
