BACKGROUND: It is unknown whether chronic erythropoietin (EPO) treatment is able to normalize hemoglobin (Hb) levels and ameliorate cardiac remodeling avoiding blood transfusions in uremic blood transfusion-dependent patients with beta-thalassemia minor (beta-thal). METHODS: In 12 hemodialysis (HD) patients with beta-thal, requiring blood transfusions despite EPO therapy, we planned to increase Hb levels up to the target levels (11-12 g/dl) within a one-year period by administering progressively higher doses of EPO (correction phase). We also planned to maintain the Hb target for an additional year (maintenance phase). RESULTS: In the year before the study, patients required 3.3 +/- 0.9 units of packed red blood cells. At baseline, the Hb level obtained with an EPO dose of 212 +/- 73 U/kg/week i.v. was 8.2 +/- 0.8 g/dl. The EPO dose was gradually increased within the first year up to 458 +/- 78 U/kg/week at month 12 (correction phase) and then significantly tapered down during the maintenance phase (390 +/- 54 U/kg/week at month 24). During the correction phase, the Hb levels markedly increased (11.1 +/- 0.3 g/dl at month 12) and did not change in the maintenance phase. No blood transfusion was required throughout the 2 years of follow-up. Left ventricular (LV) mass index progressively decreased from the basal value of 144 +/- 12 to 124 +/- 11 g/m2 in the first year and normalized in all patients at month 24 (109 +/- 12 g/m2, p < 0.001); this occurred in the absence of any change of LV cavity volume index (<90 ml/m2). CONCLUSIONS: In HD transfusion-dependent patients with beta-thal, the administration of high EPO dose for 2 years permits the attainment and the maintenance of Hb targets without blood transfusions. This therapeutic approach permits a complete remission of concentric LV hypertrophy without any adverse effects on the vascular system.
BACKGROUND: It is unknown whether chronic erythropoietin (EPO) treatment is able to normalize hemoglobin (Hb) levels and ameliorate cardiac remodeling avoiding blood transfusions in uremic blood transfusion-dependent patients with beta-thalassemia minor (beta-thal). METHODS: In 12 hemodialysis (HD) patients with beta-thal, requiring blood transfusions despite EPO therapy, we planned to increase Hb levels up to the target levels (11-12 g/dl) within a one-year period by administering progressively higher doses of EPO (correction phase). We also planned to maintain the Hb target for an additional year (maintenance phase). RESULTS: In the year before the study, patients required 3.3 +/- 0.9 units of packed red blood cells. At baseline, the Hb level obtained with an EPO dose of 212 +/- 73 U/kg/week i.v. was 8.2 +/- 0.8 g/dl. The EPO dose was gradually increased within the first year up to 458 +/- 78 U/kg/week at month 12 (correction phase) and then significantly tapered down during the maintenance phase (390 +/- 54 U/kg/week at month 24). During the correction phase, the Hb levels markedly increased (11.1 +/- 0.3 g/dl at month 12) and did not change in the maintenance phase. No blood transfusion was required throughout the 2 years of follow-up. Left ventricular (LV) mass index progressively decreased from the basal value of 144 +/- 12 to 124 +/- 11 g/m2 in the first year and normalized in all patients at month 24 (109 +/- 12 g/m2, p < 0.001); this occurred in the absence of any change of LV cavity volume index (<90 ml/m2). CONCLUSIONS: In HD transfusion-dependent patients with beta-thal, the administration of high EPO dose for 2 years permits the attainment and the maintenance of Hb targets without blood transfusions. This therapeutic approach permits a complete remission of concentric LV hypertrophy without any adverse effects on the vascular system.