[Erythropoietin and arterial hypertension in patients with chronic renal insufficiency].

The induction or the aggravation of a hypertension is a side effect of recombinant human erythropoietin therapy in 30% of dialysed patients. Clinical manifestations can be severe. Pathogenesis of erythropoietin-induced hypertension is ill known. Peripheral vascular changes were found in most studies. Recently, it was demonstrated that erythropoietin increased endothelin-1 release by endothelial cells. Ambulatory blood pressure recording seems to be the best method for evaluating the modification of blood pressure profile during the interdialytic period. Erythropoietin-induced hypertension is easily controlled by drugs, but also by low dose of erythropoietin. Subcutaneous administration of erythropoietin is an approach to avoid the induction of hypertension. Furthermore economical advantages of subcutaneous administration are proven.