epoetin-alfa and Cardiomyopathies

The combination of heart failure and chronic kidney disease (CKD) has received comparatively little attention in terms of clinical research versus investigations of each state individually. It has been known for over a decade that anemia, a cardinal feature of CKD, is associated with higher cardiovascular event rates in late-stage and end-stage renal disease. Although the biological mechanisms linking anemia, renal failure, and heart failure are incompletely understood, more prevalent anemia is consistent in patients with more severe heart failure and is associated with higher mortality rates. Impaired erythropoietin production and resistance to erythropoietin are major contributors to anemia in patients with heart failure. By targeting hemoglobin levels in anemic patients with CKD, through the use of recombinant erythropoietin (epoetin) therapy, it has been hoped that anemia, CKD, and heart failure outcomes can be improved. Darbepoetin alfa was engineered to contain more N-linked carbohydrate chains than erythropoietin, and has an approximately 3 times longer serum half-life. Several clinical trials have addressed the hypothesis that darbepoetin alfa can effectively treat renal anemia at dose frequencies of once per week, or less often, with positive outcomes.

Topics: Anemia; Cardiomyopathies; Darbepoetin alfa; Epoetin Alfa; Erythropoietin; Hematinics; Humans; Kidney Failure, Chronic; Recombinant Proteins

We present the case of a 53-year-old female Jehovah's Witness with nonischemic cardiomyopathy who successfully underwent a bloodless heart transplantation using fibrinogen concentrate (RiaSTAP; CSL Behring, King of Prussia, PA) and other blood-conservation methods. With a multidisciplinary team and the use of preoperative erythropoietin-stimulating drugs, normovolemic hemodilution, cell salvage, and pharmacotherapy to prevent and treat coagulopathy, we were able to maintain hemoglobin levels greater than 11 g/dL without the need for blood transfusion. We conclude that orthotopic heart transplants may be performed successfully in select Jehovah's Witness patients using standard and novel blood conservation methods.

Topics: Blood Loss, Surgical; Blood Transfusion; Bloodless Medical and Surgical Procedures; Cardiomyopathies; Epoetin Alfa; Female; Fibrinogen; Heart Transplantation; Hematinics; Hemoglobins; Humans; Jehovah's Witnesses; Middle Aged; Religion and Medicine; Treatment Outcome

Topics: Adolescent; Anemia; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Cardiomyopathies; Epoetin Alfa; Erythropoietin; Fluorescein Angiography; Humans; Injections; Laser Coagulation; Male; Methylprednisolone; Methylprednisolone Acetate; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne; Recombinant Proteins; Retinal Neovascularization; Vision Disorders; Vitrectomy; Vitreous Hemorrhage