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Haemostatic aspects of recombinant human erythropoietin in colorectal surgery
K A Poulsen1, N Qvist, K Winther
1Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Odense, Odense C, Denmark.
Objective:
To find out whether recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO) given perioperatively has any effect on haemostatic activity in patients undergoing elective colorectal resection.
Design:
A placebo-controlled double-blind study.
Setting:
Odense university hospital, Denmark.
Subjects:
24 patients undergoing elective colorectal resection, 13 of whom were given r-HuEPO (Eprex) and 11 placebo.
Main Outcome Measures:
Concentrations of haemoglobin, tissue-type plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1; activated partial thromboplastin time; prothrombin time; platelet and reticulocyte counts; blood loss; and transfusions.
Results:
There was no significant change in fibrinolytic activity, prothrombin time, or activated prothrombin time in the treatment group. Platelet counts differed slightly but not significantly, being higher in the r-HuEPO group. There was a significant increase in reticulocyte counts in the r-HuEPO group.
Conclusion:
R-HuEPO given perioperatively significantly increased erythropoiesis in patients undergoing elective colorectal operations but had no influence on haemostatic activity.