Background: There is no consensus on the usage of erythropoietin in the immediate postoperative period to prevent anemia and delayed graft function.
Methods: A retrospective case note audit of renal transplants included hemoglobin (Hb) and serum creatinine (Scr) values preoperatively as well as at days 7, 14, 30, 60, and 90. Patients were categorized as those receiving erythropoietin during the first 6 months posttransplant (Epo+ve) and those not receiving any erythropoietin (Epo-ve).
Results: Hb decreased from 12.4 +/- 1.6 g/L preoperatively to 9.5 +/- 1.5 g/L at day 14 and then rose to 10.5 +/- 1.6 g/L at 1 month and 12.4 +/- 1.7 g/L at 3 months. There was no difference in absolute Hb values in three transplant groups. Scr decreased from 597.0 +/- 200.1 mmol/L preoperatively to 254.1 +/- 196.9 mmol/L at day 14 and continued to fall to 163.8 +/- 98.9 mmol/L at 1 month and 147.8 +/- 66.9 mmol/L at 3 months. There was no difference in absolute Hb values and delayed graft function in the three transplant groups.
Conclusion: With respect to anemia and delayed graft function, the use of erythropoietin in the first 3 months had little impact. We suggest that such an expensive medication may be safely omitted in the immediate postoperative period.