Recombinant human erythropoietin treatment in chronic renal failure: effects on hemostasis and vasculature

The use of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhuEPO) for the treatment of renal anemia improves the altered primary hemostasis frequently observed in uremia, through both an increase in hematocrit (rheological effect) and an improvement in uremic platelet function. Although the in vitro vascular effects of rhuEPO are complex and may cause hypertensive and thrombotic complications in patients with end-stage renal disease, in vivo and clinical studies have not confirmed these findings. Therefore, the long-term effects of anemia correction with rhuEPO treatment on endothelial and vascular function in uremic patients merits further investigation.