Erythropoietin levels in patients depositing autologous blood in short intervals.

Plasma immunoreactive erythropoietin (EPO) concentrations were studied in ten patients (7 men, 3 women) predonating autologous blood for hip arthroplasty. Donations were scheduled on day 1, 3, 7, 14 (and 21 if four units could not be donated previously). A predonation hemoglobin concentration of 11 g/dl was required. The donations led to a decline of the hemoglobin concentration from 14.1 +/- 1.0 g/dl (X +/- SD) prior to donation to 11.0 +/- 0.9 g/dl on day 15. EPO concentration prior to donation was 17.6 +/- 2.6 mU/ml. Each phlebotomy was followed by a rise in EPO levels that reached a peak concentration within 1 day. The highest concentration (35.8 +/- 15.0 mU/ml) was measured on day 16. The peak concentration was followed by a plateau at lower, although still elevated levels after the first and second donation, and by a slow, continuous decline after the third and fourth donation. This particular time course is similar to that during weekly donations [15]. The time integral of the EPO concentration during the first 3 weeks, however, was greater in the present study. This increased availability of EPO early during donation may lead to a more efficient stimulation of erythropoiesis.