Elective coronary and valve surgery without blood transfusion in patients treated with recombinant human erythropoietin (epoetin-alpha).

Abstract

This study confirms the real effectiveness of epoetin-alpha in reducing the postoperative need for homologous blood transfusion. No side effects due to epoetin-alpha treatment have been proved. The conclusion is drawn that epoetin-alpha can be used as an alternative to blood transfusion or in association with predeposit and in the treatment of basal anemia.