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1: Crit Care. 2004;8 Suppl 2:S9-10. Epub 2004 Jun 14.Click here to read Links

Pathophysiology of intensive care unit-acquired anemia.

Fink MP.

Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical School, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. finkmp@ccm.upmc.edu

The formation of red blood cells (RBCs) in the bone marrow is regulated by erythropoietin in response to a cascade of events. Anemia in the intensive care unit can be caused by a host of factors. Patients in the intensive care unit may have decreased RBC production and a blunted response to erythropoietin. Administration of recombinant human erythropoietin may stimulate erythropoiesis, increase hematocrit levels and hemoglobin concentration, and reduce the need for RBC transfusions.

PMID: 15196314 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]