Clinical study of therapeutic effects and safety of erythropoietin treatment for elderly patients with chronic heart failure

AIM:To study the effect and safety of erythropoietin (EPO) in the treatment of chronic heart failure (CHF) in elderly patients. METHODS: Eighty patients with CHF were randomly divided into two groups. Patients in the control group (n=40) were administered the routine treatment of CHF (diuretics, digoxin and ACEI), whereas in addition to the routine treatment, patients in the study group (n=40) were given a dose of EPO, 100 U/kg IH, once a week for 6 mouths. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and hemoglobin (Hb) were measured, respectively, by echocardiography and laboratory examination. Heart function was examined by 6-min walking distance and NYHA heart function classification. RESULTS: Obvious improvements in LVEF, Hb, 6-min walking distance and NYHA heart function classification were observed in the study group after 6 months administration of EPO. The therapeutic effect was significantly different between groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: EPO treatment is safe and effective for improving heart function and enhances exercise tolerance in CHF patients.