The efficacy of pre-operative erythropoietin therapy

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether a single weekly low dose of erythropoietin (EPO), haematenics and antimalarials is effective in increasing the pre-operative haemoglobin of patients coming for potential blood losing surgery. Design: A prospective observational study. Setting: The Korle-bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana. Subjects: Thirty one patients with low haemoglobin scheduled for potential blood losing surgery. Results: A mean weekly dose of EPO administered of 10,840 ± 640 IU raised the haemoglobin by 2-5g% above baseline levels in 28 (90.3%) of the patients. Twenty five (81%) of the patients had an uneventful normovolaemic haemodilution during their surgery. Conclusion: A single weekly dose of 150 ug/kg of EPO, haematenics, chloroquine (anti-malarial) and a high protein diet is efficacious in raising the pre-operative haemoglobin in Ghanaian patients.