[Initial response to treatment with erythropoietin in anemia caused by chronic renal insufficiency].

The achievement of recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEpo) supposed an important advance in the treatment of the anaemia of chronic renal failure. The results achieved with r-HuEpo in seven patients with chronic renal failure subjected to haemodialysis who required repeated blood transfusions are reported. The duration of treatment was 12 weeks at an initial doses of 50 U/Kg. A significant increase of haematocrit, red-cell count, haemoglobin, reticulocytes and platelets was attained. The decrease of serum iron, transferrin saturation index and ferritin in spite of oral iron therapy was striking. None of the patients required blood transfusion during the period of study, and all but one referred subjective improvement. No severe adverse effects were observed, except for one case of thrombosis of arteriovenous fistula, whose relation with this treatment is dubious. Although this is a short-term preliminary study, it can be inferred that r-HuEpo treatment is effective and free of major risks for the anaemia of chronic renal failure.