[Treatment of renal anemia with erythropoietin]

During the last decade, a considerable amount of new information has accumulated regarding therapy optimalization of renal anaemia with recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO). Key question involved is EPO hyporesponsiveness caused by absolute or functional iron deficiency. Most controversial issue in the treatment of renal anaemia in patients with chronic renal insufficiency is the definition of optimal target haemoglobin. Many questions about optimizing EPO therapy were considered at the 2nd European Epoetin Symposium which was held in April 1998 on Crete. Discussion was devoted also to revision of a draft version of the European Best Practice Guidelines for the Management of Anaemia in Patients with Chronic Renal Failure. The presented review is on summary of new insights presented at the symposium. (Ref. 85.)