Erythropoietin: An Innovative Therapeutic Approach in Thermal Trauma

Abstract

Erythropoietin (EPO) is an endogenous hormone that is produced by fibroblasts of the renal parenchyma and controls the differentiation of erythrocytes in the bone marrow. EPO is used mainly in anemia of end-stage renal failure, in tumor-induced anemia, and before donating autologous blood. The authors discuss EPO effects after trauma, EPO receptors, adverse EPO effects, EPO in severely burned patients, pro-regenerative EPO effects in animal models, experiences in humans, EPO treatment for prevention of secondary burn progression, and EPO in secondary reconstruction. For a possible individual use of EPO in the context of healing attempts in burn-injured patients, a very careful patient evaluation in the individual case must be advised. In particular, with regard to problematic pre-existing conditions such as hypertension, thromboembolic events or known malignancies, a particularly careful history-taking and consideration of the risk-benefit ratio must be ensured.