Efficacy of preoperative recombinant human erythropoietin administration for reducing transfusion requirements in patients undergoing surgery for hip fracture repair. An observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative anaemia is a major risk factor for allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT) in patients undergoing hip fracture repair. We investigated the efficacy of preoperative recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) administration for reducing ABT requirements in a series of consecutive hip fracture patients presenting with haemoglobin (Hb) between 10 g/dl and 13 g/dl.
METHODS: The blood conservation protocol consisted of the application of a restrictive transfusion trigger (Hb < 8 g/dl) and the perioperative administration of intravenous iron sucrose (3 x 200 mg/48 h) (group 1, n = 115). Additionally, some patients received preoperative rHuEPO (40 000 IU sc) on admission to the orthopaedic ward (group 2, n = 81).
RESULTS: Overall, 103 of 196 patients (52.5%) received at least one ABT unit (2.1 +/- 1.0 U/patient). However, there were significant differences in perioperative ABT rates between groups (60% vs. 42%, for groups 1 and 2, respectively; P = 0.013). Postoperative Hb on postoperative days 7 and 30 was higher in group 2 than in group 1. In addition, in group 2, Hb levels were higher on postoperative day 30 than on admission (12.7 +/- 1.0 g/dl vs. 11.9 +/- 0.8 g/dl, respectively; P = 0.030). Administration of rHuEPO did not increase postoperative complications or 30-day mortality rate. Only three mild intravenous iron adverse effects were witnessed.
CONCLUSIONS: In anaemic hip fracture patients managed with perioperative intravenous iron and restrictive transfusion protocol, preoperative administration of rHuEPO is associated with reduced ABT requirements. However, appropriate training, education and awareness are needed to avoid protocol violations and to limit further exposure to ABT and ABT-related risks.