Anemia in a critically ill patient: the role of erythropoietin therapy

Ioana Grigoraş
Catedra ATI, Universitatea de Medicină şi Farmacie, Iaşi

Abstract

Anemia in critical illness is a pathological entity with multifactorial etiology. Decreased synthesis of endogenous erythropoietin, decreased response of erythopoietic cells to erythropoietin and alterations in iron metabolism play a central role in the development of anemia. Blood transfusion is a common event in intensive care. Blood conservation and transfusion restriction has led to new therapeutic policies. After years of use in chronic renal failure, recombinant human erythropoietin has found new clinical applications. rHuEpo for anemia in critical illness results in decreased incidence of blood transfusion and decreased number of blood units. rHuEpo has no significant side effects. It does not result in decreased duration of mechanical ventilation, nor in decreased mortality. Further studies will evaluate its cost-benefit ratio.

Key words: anemia, critically ill, erythropoietin, iron metabolism, blood transfusion

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Anemia la pacientul critic. Rolul eritropoetinei

Jurnalul Român de Anestezie Terapie intensivă 2006 Vol.13 Nr.2, 117-122