Abstract

EVALUATING RISK OF HEART FAILURE WITH ERYTHROPOIETIN IN CHRONIC ANEMIA

*Dr. S. P. Srinivas Nayak, Syeda Maimoona Maqsood, Azgari Begum, Sania Mehveen, Lubna Muzaffar Hussain

ABSTRACT

Erythropoietin (EPO) is the primary regulatory hormone of erythropoiesis. Hypoxia induces an increase in EPO hormone production in the kidney which promotes the viability, proliferation, and terminal differentiation of erythroid precursors, and causing an increase in red blood cell mass. Any abnormality that reduces the renal secretion of or bone marrow response to erythropoietin may result in anemia. The approval of recombinant human erythropoietin (epoetinalfa) by the US FDA in 1989, epoetinalfa and similar agents now collectively known as erythropoietin stimulating agents (ESA) have become the standard of care for the treatment of the erythropoietin-deficient anemia. Studies suggest that in patients with high serum erythropoietin is associated with risk of recurrent heart failure (HF) and mortality. Thromboembolic complications can be increased in patients receiving erythropoietin. the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents though reduces the need for transfusions it is associated with increased complications, including higher mortality and increased risk of thromboembolic and cardiovascular events leading to congestive heart failure.

Keywords: Erythropoietin, Hypoxia, Erythropoietin-Deficient Anemia and Heart Failure.