Effects of intravenous iron combined with low-dose recombinant human erythropoietin on transfusion requirements in iron-deficient patients undergoing bilateral total knee replacement arthroplasty

This report has been verified by one or more authors of the original publication.

113 female patients, who were iron-deficient and scheduled for bilateral TKA were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatment groups to test the effectiveness of a combination of iron serum and recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) on reducing postoperative anemia and the need for transfusion. During the TKS surgery, subjects in the intervention group were administered iron and rHuEPO, while those in the control did not. Results showed that iron deficient patients within the intervention group exhibited significantly higher Hb levels at all follow ups (up to 6 weeks), and had lower transfusion rates than those in the control. Iron, ferritin, and transferrin saturation levels were also significantly higher in the intervention group.