Erythropoietin is hematopoietic agent that principally influences erythropoiesis. In this research, we investigated the drug use through chart reviewing of Korea University Medical Center Anam Hospital´s patients and used "Erythropoietin drug use evaluation criteria" of American Society Hospital Pharmacy.
The results are as follows, 59 cases (100%) of testees met with the criteria for the justification of use. As to critical indication, 52.5% of patients with hypertention begin with the situation of modest blood pressure. Initial dosage of erythropoietin was proved to be appropriate for 74.6% of patients. The main complication is blood pressure increasing which was found in 29 testees (49.2%), 15 patients (51.7%) of them reduced erythropoietin dosage or discontinued until blood pressure was controlled. As to outcome measures, testees whose hematocrit went back to 30-33% was only 3 cases (6.1%), and 31 testees (52.5%) increased their red blood cell or hemoglobin so that they decreased need for transfusions.
In this research, we could conclude that, in order to supply erythropoietin enough to keep hematocrit at 30-33%, the economic supports to patients with chronic renal failure by Korean government should be enlarged.
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