The effect of i.v. iron alone or in combination with low-dose erythropoietin in the rapid correction of anemia of chronic renal failure in the predialysis period.

Abstract

The combination of low-dose EPO and i.v. Fe had a rapid and additive effect on the correction of anemia in CRF predialysis patients. Maintaining adequate iron stores with i.v. Fe during a subsequent maintenance phase allowed the target Hct of 35% to be reached and maintained with low-dose EPO in two-thirds of the predialysis patients and with no EPO at all in one-third.