Collins A, Ma J, Elzein H, Mapes D
Stability of hematocrit impacts survival
43rd Annual ASAIO Conference, Atlanta
ASAIO J
(Apr) 43:75 1997
There are no surprises here; analysis of almost 30000 Medicare records
demonstrates that, as regards survival, high hematocrit is better than
low. A stable hematocrit is also better than an unstable one, which,
especially in erythropoietin-treated patients, not only implies
bleeding, but also infection, inflammation, surgery.
Some questions
arise, on reading the abstract: Among 28994 patients, did noone have a
mean hematocrit greater than 36%? What about their survival? What is
implied by their being excluded from the analysis without explanation?
Of course, only 4% had hematocrits between 33 and 36%, so maybe there
were no patients in the higher range. All in all 60% of these 1991
patients had mean hematocrits lower than 30, testimony to changes in
approach since the early days of erythropoietin availability.
(Robert H. Barth, M.D., VA Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY)
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43rd Annual ASAIO Conference, Atlanta
CRF: Problem Areas :
Outcomes (Morbidity, Mortality)
CRF by problem area :
Anemia/Erythropoietin/Iron