Haemostatic aspects of recombinant human erythropoietin in colorectal surgery

OBJECTIVE: To find out whether recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO) given perioperatively has any effect on haemostatic activity in patients undergoing elective colorectal resection. DESIGN: A placebo-controlled double-blind study. SETTING: Odense university hospital, Denmark. SUBJECTS: 24 patients undergoing elective colorectal resection, 13 of whom were given r-HuEPO (Eprex) and 11 placebo. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Concentrations of haemoglobin, tissue-type plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1; activated partial thromboplastin time; prothrombin time; platelet and reticulocyte counts; blood loss; and transfusions. RESULTS: There was no significant change in fibrinolytic activity, prothrombin time, or activated prothrombin time in the treatment group. Platelet counts differed slightly but not significantly, being higher in the r-HuEPO group. There was a significant increase in reticulocyte counts in the r-HuEPO group. CONCLUSION: R-HuEPO given perioperatively significantly increased erythropoiesis in patients undergoing elective colorectal operations but had no influence on haemostatic activity.