Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
compared with patients receiving placebo. Figure 1 illustrates a typical proto-
col using epoetin alfa in PAD.
The rationale for the use of epoetin alfa is based on its pharmacologic prop-
erties, i.e., the increased rate of erythropoiesis. Because orthopedic surgery is
usually an elective surgery, it is possible to administer a course of epoetin alfa
to increase the hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit before surgery.
Darbepoetin alfa is a new erythropoietic protein with a three-fold longer serum
half-life than epoetin alfa that may also be useful in the surgical setting. The
Figure 1. Our protocol for total knee athroplasty. * = if PAD obtained,the time between PAD and
surgergy should be maximized. CBC = complete blood count; Hb = hemoglobin; PAD = pre-opera-
tive autologous donation; SC = subcutaneous; TKA = total knee arthroplasty.
