Cardioprotective effect of erythropoietin preparations in patients with chronic renal failure

AIM: To investigate effects of early correction of anemia on the rate of cardiovascular complications and survival on regular hemodialysis (RHD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) on regular hemodialysis entered two groups: group 1 with hemoglobin (Hb) 100 g/l (n = 44). 90% patients of group 2 were treated for renal anemia for 6-8 months of predialysis CRF. When placed on RHD, group 1 started therapy with epoetin, 39 patients of group 2 continued epoetin treatment. RESULTS: Patients of group 2 had a higher rate of eccentric left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) with reduced ejection fraction and development of congestive cardiac failure and coronary heart disease. Eccentric LVH in group 1 patients regressed only in 80% when the patients were on hemodialysis and received epoetin for correction of anemia. Overall cardiac death in group 1 was twice that of group 2 patients. CONCLUSION: Early correction of anemia led to a 50% increase in 5-year survival. This fact can be explained with inhibited progression of eccentric LVH.