Use of erythropoietin in heart failure management.

摘要

OBJECTIVE: To review the use of erythropoietin for anemia in heart failure (HF). DATA SOURCES: Peer-reviewed articles in MEDLINE (1966-June 2004) were identified and citations from available articles were reviewed using the search terms anemia, erythropoietin, and heart failure. DATA SYNTHESIS: Anemia worsens HF prognosis. Clinical studies in patients with New York Heart Association Class III/IV HF who had hemoglobin <12 mg/dL and were refractory to maximal medical management showed that erythropoietin improves symptoms. Larger scale studies with mortality endpoints are required to confirm the benefits. CONCLUSIONS: In selected patients with severe, chronic HF, erythropoietin may be considered for functional improvement. However, routine use of this treatment strategy is not recommended until more data are available.