| [ Summary ] |
The correction of renal anemia with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) has resulted in improvements in QOL and physical activity, as well as reduced mortality and hospitalization frequency in dialysis patients. In contrast, in dialysis patients with severe cardiovascular disease, increased mortality rates have been reported when anemia was normalized with rHuEPO. The question remains as to whether normalizing hemoglobin is desirable in hemodialysis patients. Although insufficiency of EPO is universal, iron deficiency is also a common contributor to the development of renal anemia. Iron replacement, via an intravenous route, has become common place. However, iron overload, induced by intravenous iron, also has been seen to accelerate cardiovascular disease. This review provides an analysis and commentary on evidence related to normalized renal anemia. |