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THE EFFICACY OF PRE-OPERATIVE ERYTHROPOIETIN THERAPY

E.A. ANITEYE, L. SEREBOE,, D. KOTEI, K. FRIMPONG-BOATENG, Y. ADU-GYAMFI

Abstract


ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine whether a single weekly low dose of erythropoietin (EPO), haematenics
and antimalarials is effective in increasing the pre-operative haemoglobin of patients coming for
potential blood losing surgery.
Design: A prospective observational study.
Setting: The Korle-bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana.
Subjects: Thirty one patients with low haemoglobin scheduled for potential blood losing
surgery.
Results: A mean weekly dose of EPO administered of 10,840 ± 640 IU raised the haemoglobin by
2-5g% above baseline levels in 28 (90.3%) of the patients. Twenty five (81%) of the patients had an
uneventful normovolaemic haemodilution during their surgery.
Conclusion: A single weekly dose of 150 ug/kg of EPO, haematenics, chloroquine (anti-malarial)
and a high protein diet is efficacious in raising the pre-operative haemoglobin in Ghanaian
patients.

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