Anemia management in chronic heart failure: lessons learnt from chronic kidney disease.

The importance of anemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD) has become increasingly well recognized over recent years, as have the benefits of treating anemic CKD patients with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO, epoetin). As well as reducing the need for blood transfusions and the complications associated with renal failure in CKD patients, rHuEPO treatment decreases patient morbidity and mortality, particularly as a result of cardiovascular disease. The strong correlation between anemia, renal failure and cardiac failure is one that has received much attention recently, with each factor recognized to cause the other to worsen in a 'vicious cycle'. Recent studies have concentrated on the possible benefits of anemia treatment in patients with CHF. Currently available data suggest improvements in CHF symptoms, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and a reduction of hospitalizations associated with anemia correction through epoetin treatment. Available data from CKD patients suggest that anemia management should begin as early as possible, although the optimal target level for individual patients is as yet unclear. In addition to the currently available evidence, additional large, randomized, controlled studies are required to further define the morbidity/mortality benefits of epoetin treatment in CHF patients with anemia.