ISSN:
1432-2277
Keywords:
Key words Chronic anemia
;
heart transplantation
;
prognosis
;
Heart transplantation
;
chronic anemia
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract The clinical relevance of mild chronic anemia in patients after heart transplantation (HTX) has not yet been demonstrated. Forty-five outpatients who had undergone HTX 2–99 months prior to investigation and who had not received blood transfusions or erythropoietin (EPO) before data acquisition were observed over a period of 37 months. Anemia was found in 36 of the 45 patients and was normocytic, normochromic, and slightly anisocytotic (coefficient of variation = 16 ± 2, normal 11.5–14.5). Anemic patients showed elevated EPO levels, whereas in nonanemic patients EPO levels were normal. Survival after HTX differed significantly in anemic and nonanemic patients (P 〈 0.02), with 100 % survival in the nonanemic and 85 % in the anemic group. Chronic anemia in patients after HTX shows a typical pattern. Even when mild, anemia in patients after HTX seems to be of prognostic value and thus might be an indicator of chronic disorders.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s001470050167
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