[Factors limiting the correction of anemia with recombinant human erythropoietin]

The efficacy of recombinant human erythropoietin in correcting the anemia of the uraemic patient has been thoroughly confirmed. Iron deficiency, aluminum intoxication, severe hyperparathyroidism and infections are some of the main factors limiting patients' response to the drug. Worsening or de novo formation of arterial hypertension generally makes it necessary to diminish the degree of correction of anaemia. It is commonly accepted that anaemia should be only partially corrected and that the target haemoglobin level should be defined patient by patient.