Significant further evidence to bolster the link between epoetin and strokes in chronic kidney disease and cancer

Abstract

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) have been used for about three decades in chronic kidney disease patients to treat the symptoms of anemia, avoid potentially hazardous blood-product transfusions, improve some facets of quality of life, and reduce cardiovascular risk. We review a new article in which this association between stroke and ESA use is examined in a different population in a different way, but with the same worrying findings as seen in the TREAT study. © 2011 International Society of Nephrology.