Preoperative use of epoietin beta in total hip replacement: a prospective study

Objective

Epoietin (EPO) effectively decreases perioperative blood transfusion requirements. We evaluated the feasibility of using EPO beta to increase haemoglobin levels before total hip replacement (THR) and reduce transfusion.

Materials and methods

One hundred and seventy-one patients undergoing primary THR were included in this prospective observational study. Patients with initial haemoglobin level <130 g l⁻¹ received EPO beta subcutaneously in a four-dose regimen. Haemoglobin levels were measured at baseline, before surgery, and at postoperative days 1 and 5.

Results

Twenty-eight patients received EPO beta preoperatively, 143 were not treated including 42 with initial haemoglobin level <130 g l⁻¹. Haemoglobin increased by 29 ± 9 g l⁻¹ in the low Hb + EPO group versus 2 ± 1 g l⁻¹ for the other patients. In the low Hb + EPO group 3.6% were transfused, in the low HB group 45.2% (P = 0.001) and in the normal Hb group 11.9% (P = 0.2).

Conclusions

Preoperative EPO beta increases haemoglobin level and reduces transfusion frequency in anaemic patients before total joint replacement. It could play a major role in the management of perioperative blood loss in orthopaedic surgery.