The perioperative use of recombinant erythropoietin (rhEPO) in Jehovah's witnesses

Der Anaesthesist
J SoukupJ Radke

Abstract

Erythropoietin, the hematopoietic growth factor, is synthesised in the kidneys and liver and regulates red blood cell production. Within the last few years, recombinant DNA technology has produced synthetic erythropoietin (rhEPO). Some patients, especially Jehovah's Witnesses, will not accept blood transfusion. The perioperative administration of rhEPO increases the patients' hematocrit (HCt) to a higher than physiological level. We report a case of a 66-year-old female Jehovah's Witness who refused blood transfusions and responded favourably to rhEPO treatment. A total hip arthroplasty was planned. A pretreatment hemoglobin level (Hb) of 13.7 g/dl and HCt of 43% were documented. After preoperative subcutaneous application of 5000 I.E. rhEPO three times per week and daily oral substitution of 300 mg ferrous sulfate over a period of 3 weeks, the Hb increased to 15.5 g/dl and the HCt to 49%. The operation was carried out after the ninth application of rhEPO. Postoperatively, the Hb concentration was 11.8 g/dl and the HCt 35%. Therefore, postoperative administration of rhEPO was not considered indicated. No side effects of rhEPO application were noted. The patient left hospital on the 10th postoperative day. The case report descri...Continue Reading

Citations

Sep 28, 2001·Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis·R S RileyA Tidwell
Dec 28, 1999·Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research·C L Nelson, J G Stewart
Jul 4, 2002·Hematology/oncology Clinics of North America·Roger S RileyGina Romagnoli

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