Use of intravenous iron without erythropoietin for the treatment of anemia of hemodialysis Corrección de la anemia en hemodiálisis, efecto del fierro intravenoso sin eritropoyetina

Abstract

Background: In the last two decades, the use of erythropoietin for the correction of anemia in hemodialysis patients has been recommended. In Chile, only 10% of hemodialysis patients use erythropoietin, therefore, the correction of iron deficiency must be optimized. Aim: To report the effects of intravenous iron without erythropoietin in the management of anemia in hemodialysis patients. Material and methods: Retrospective analysis of 42 patients that received intravenous ferrous sacarate in doses of 100 mg/week during 5 weeks and 100 mg bimonthly during six months. These patients did not receive erythropoietin. Results. Thirty six patients had iron deficiency. Basal ferritin was 137±22 μg/l and increased to 321±28 μg/l after treatment. Packed red cell volume increased from 24±2% to 29±3%. No adverse effects were reported. Conclusions: Iron deficiency is frequent in hemodialyzed patients. Intravenous iron is safe and effective in the treatment of iron deficiency in these patients.