Abstract

Ten patients with end-stage renal failure and anaemia on three times weekly haemodialysis were treated with recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO) for six weeks. Erytropoietin was given as an intravenous bolus after each dialysis in increasing doses within 30-120 U/hg. In all ten patients mean haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit and corrected reticulocyle counts increased from 6.28 ± 0.58g/dl, 19.2 ± 2.04 % and 0.26 ± 0.15 to % 9.2 ± 1 g/dl, 27.8 ± 3.11 % and 1.67 ± 0.3 % (P < 0.05). Mean iron and total iron binding capacity didn't change with treatment (P> 0.05). None of the patients had required transfusions during treatment. Only one patient had an increase in blood perssure with r-HuEPO. No organ dysfunction or other toxic effects were observed. These results demonstrate that r-HuEPO is effective for treating anaemia of the end stage renal failure and can eliminate the need for transfusions with their risks of iron overload, infection and immunologic sensitization.