Objective: To analyze the data from the literature on erythropoietin and the future indications of recombinant human erythropoietin in intensive care unit (ICU) patients.
Data source: References were obtained from computerized bibliographic research (Pubmed) from 1986 to 2003, except for some physiologic data.
Data selection: Original articles, reviews, and letters to editor in French and English were selected and analyzed.
Data synthesis: An anemia is often observed in patients hospitalized in ICU. This anemia may be due to many reasons. The management of anemia consists on the treatment of the underlying disease associated with the transfusion of red blood cells. Recent studies provided evidence of an association between transfusions and mortality in ICU patients. The anemia of ICU patients is compared to the anemia of chronic diseases, which is characterized by a blunted erythropoietin. A treatment with rHuEPO may be a future therapeutic of the anemia in such patients. A multicentric study shows the efficacy of recombinant erythropoietin therapy on a decrease in the use of red blood cell, and another clinical trial highlights a decrease of the proportion of ICU patients receiving red blood cell. Recombinant erythropoietin could be an alternative to transfusion in certain conditions and certain ICU patients. Further studies are needed to determine the consequences on mortality rate and to clarify the place of this therapy in ICU patients.