[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) < 80 g/l (n = 36) and group 2 with 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.