Effects of erythropoietin on left ventricular hypertrophy in adults with severe chronic renal failure and hemoglobin <10 g/dL

Effects of erythropoietin on left ventricular hypertrophy in adults with severe chronic renal failure and hemoglobin 100 g/m2 in women), hemoglobin levels, creatinine clearance, blood pressure, medications, and medical history were obtained. Forty anemic and 61 nonanemic control subjects were enrolled. Overall, the prevalence of LVH was 68.3% (95% CI 58.3-77.2), and entry hemoglobin level was the only significant predictor of baseline LVH (adjusted OR 0.69 per g/dL increase in hemoglobin, 95% CI 0.50-0.94). After 6 months, LVMI decreased in anemic patients receiving rhEPO (142 ± 56 vs. 157 ± 56 g/m2) (P = 0.007), with an increase in hemoglobin (11.3 ± 1.9 vs. 9.1 ± 0.7 g/dL) (P = 0.001). There were no changes in LVMI or hemoglobin level among controls. After adjusting for confounders and change in hemoglobin, receipt of rhEPO was associated with a significant reduction in LVMI (P = 0.01). Treatment with rhEPO was not independently associated with significant changes in blood pressure or renal function. LVH is a common finding in chronic renal insufficiency and is associated with lower hemoglobin levels. Treatment with rhEPO may decrease LVH in patients with severe renal insufficiency and anemia.