Enhanced platelet reactivity with erythropoietin but not following transfusion in dialysis patients

Although the haemostatic defects that occur in uraemia are complex, a major factor is the anaemia of renal failure. This may now be corrected by recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) therapy rather than by repeated blood transfusion. Platelet reactivity to shear stress and collagen was measured using non-anticoagulated blood to study the effect of erythropoietin or blood transfusion on platelet function. Twenty dialysis patients were commenced on 25–50 U/kg rHuEpo twice weekly. The dose was adjusted after 3 months to maintain target Hb 10–10.5 g/dl. A further 15 patients were studied before and 10–12 days after receiving blood transfusion. Baseline platelet reactivity was subnormal in both groups versus control (P