Intensive predeposit-hemodilution autologous blood donation and IOBS increase in erythropoietic levels in patients undergoing hip arthroplasty.

Erythropoietin (EPO) plasma levels were monitored during the perioperative period in 61 consecutive patients (22 males - 39 females), aged 62.5 +/- 9.5 years, scheduled for hip arthroplasty. All patients underwent intraoperative blood salvage (IOBS) and were subdivided into three different groups according to their hemoglobin levels (Hb) 24 hours postoperatively (group A: Hb < 8 g/dl; group B: Hb between 8-9 g/dl; group C: HB > or = 9 g/dl). Seventy-two hours after surgery EPO levels were significantly different in group A (135 +/- 68) compared to group C (54.3 +/- 32), with a positive correlation (p < 0.01) between Hb and EPO levels. On the basis of these results we suggest that a programmed autologous red blood cell collection aimed at obtaining the lowest hemoglobin values during the first 24 hours after surgery, may be of clinical utility in preventing homologous blood needs.