Impact of Epoetin Beta on Dialyzer Clearance and Heparin Requirements

The present studies were undertaken to determine whether treatment with recombinant human erythropoietin (epoetin beta [Marogen Sterile Powder, Chugai-Upjohn, Rosemont, IL]) necessitates an alteration in dialysis prescription or in heparin requirements. All patients had end-stage renal disease (ESRD), were on chronic hemodialysis (either high-flux or conventional) for more than 3 months, and had participated in large-scale, multicenter epoetin beta clinical trials. Nine patients were entered into the clearance study. Blood chemistry values, dialyzer clearances, and hematocrit values were determined before beginning epoetin beta administration and after approximately 40 weeks of treatment. The mean hematocrit value at the beginning of the study was 0.229 (22.9%); by week 40, it averaged 0.313 (31.3%). The mean percent change in urea clearance was -1.9%, and a mean percent change of +12.7% in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was noted. The mean percent change in creatinine clearance was -15.3%, while the mean percent change in serum creatinine was +0.2%. The mean percent change in phosphate clearance was -10.1 %, and the mean percent change in serum phosphate was +44.1 %. Heparin profiling was performed for nine patients (four participated in the clearance study). Seven patients showed increased requirements for heparin, with a mean percent change of +24.3%. These results underscore the necessity for careful attention to the changing status of the dialysis patient on epoetin beta. While epoetin beta treatment does not, in general, adversely affect either clearance or blood chemistry values, these values may fluctuate in individual patients in response to the increasing hematocrit values and to dietary changes that result from an increased sense of well-being. Most importantly, heparin requirements must be monitored and adjusted in response to the increasing hematocrit.