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Reports outline cardiology study findings from A. Palazzuoli and colleagues
December 10th, 2007
2007 DEC 10 -- "Background Although anemia is frequently found in congestive heart failure (CHF), little is known about the effect of its correction with erythropoietin (EPO) on cardiac structure and function. Objectives The present study examines in patients with advanced CHF, chronic renal insufficiency, and anemia the effects of beta-EPO on left ventricular (LV) systolic diameter and volume (LVSD and LVSV), LV diastolic diameter and volume (LVDD and LVDV), LV mass, LV ejection fraction (LVEF), pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels," scientists writing in the American Heart Journal report. "Methods Fifty one consecutive subjects affected with advanced CHF and anemia were studied. We performed a randomized double-blind controlled study of correction of anemia with subcutaneous EPO for 4 months (group A, 26 patients) using saline as the placebo in the control group (group B, 25 patients). We then maintained the EPO treatment in the treated group for another 8 months. Both groups received oral iron throughout the total 12-month period. Echocardiographic evaluation, BNP levels, and hematological parameters are reported at 4 and 12 months. Results The patients in group A during the double-blind phase (4 months) demonstrated an increase in LVEF and mild reduction in LVSD and LVSV with respect to baseline and to group B with no differences in PAP, LVDD, and LVDV. Over the 12-month period, the hemoglobin increased from 10.40.6 to 12.4 +/- 0.8 g/dL (P <.01) in group A but did not change in group B. Compared with group B, group A had lower LVDD, LVSD, LVDV, LVSV, LV mass, PAP, and BNP and higher LVEF. The serum creatinine and creatinine clearance remained unchanged in the 2 groups," wrote A. Palazzuoli and colleagues. The researchers concluded: "Conclusions In anemic patients with CHF, correction of anemia with EPO and oral iron over I year lead to an improvement in LV systolic function, LV remodeling, BNP levels, and PAP compared with a control group in which only oral iron was used." Palazzuoli and colleagues published their study in American Heart Journal (Reports outline cardiology study findings from A. Palazzuoli and colleagues. American Heart Journal, 2007;154(4):E9). Additional information can be obtained by contacting A. Palazzuoli, Osped Le Scotte, Dept. of Med & Malattie Metab, I-53100 Siena, Italy. The publisher of the American Heart Journal can be contacted at: Mosby-Elsevier, 360 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010-1710, USA. Keywords: Italy, Siena, Angiology, Cardiology, Chronic Renal Insufficiency, Clinical Trial Research, Congestive Heart Failure, Coronary Artery Disease, Erythropoietin, Heart Disease, Kidney, Nephrology, Pulmonary Artery, Renal Insufficiency. This article was prepared by Biotech Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Biotech Business Week via NewsRx.com.
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