Effect of erythropoietin treatment on tissue oxygenation in patients with severe transfusion dependent renal anaemia.

OBJECTIVES

Severe renal anaemia can now be effectively treated with recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEpo). To evaluate muscle tissue oxygenation in patients with severe renal anaemia and the effects of an rhEpo treatment, muscle tissue oxygen tensions were measured in 9 patients suffering from end stage renal disease with severe renal anaemia before and during rhEpo treatment.

METHODS

Muscle tissue oxygen pressure (method according to Ehrly and Schroeder), transcutaneous oxygen pressure (tcpO2) (Radiometer, Copenhagen), haematocrit (micro haematocrit method), plasma viscosity (Ostwald capillary viscometer) and erythrocyte aggregation (method according to Ehrly and Schmitt) were determined before as well as 4, 8, and 24 weeks after onset of treatment with 80 U/kg body weight 3 times per week.

RESULTS

Muscle tissue pO2 values before treatment were markedly diminished when compared with normals and showed a marked increase into the normal range parallel to the increase in haematocrit. tcpO2 values were in the upper normal range before treatment and did not show significant changes during treatment. Erythrocyte aggregation and plasma viscosity did also not show significant changes.

CONCLUSION

During rhEpo treatment a marked increase of muscle tissue pO2 can be found. This increase may be one of the mechanisms responsible for the improved well being and physical exercise tolerance in these patients due to erythropoietin treatment.