The long-term effects of recombinant human erythropoietin on the cardiovascular system.

Fifty-five hemodialysis patients (pts) received rHuEpo for 3-5 years (51 +/- 11 months, hematocrit 32.5 +/- 3.7). BP medication was required in 42% of pts prior to rHuEpo (Hct 20.8 +/- 3.5) and 69% (38 patients) now require such therapy. BP was controlled with single therapy in 16 pts and only 8 required 3 or more different BP drugs. Vascular access clotting episodes were rare in pts with autologous fistula (17 of 24 pts had no clotting), whereas access clotting episodes were 10 times more common in pts with AV grafts, yet 20% had no clotting after 3-5 years of rHuEpo. Heart size decreased in most who initially had cardiomegaly. Cardiovascular related and other deaths were decreased in this selected group when compared to other dialysis pts matched for age, race and type of renal disease.