Abstract

Analyzing the Effect of Intravenous Iron Therapy on Hemoglobin Values in Chronic Dialysis Patients with Anemia and Elevated Ferritin Levels Pediatric Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease Receiving Peritoneal Dialysis: Evaluation of Ultrasensitive C-Reactive Protein as a Cardiovascular Risk Marker

Author(s): Evan Richard*

Functional iron deficiency, which happens when there are enough iron reserves but not enough circulating iron to provide Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents (ESAs) the potential to promote hematopoiesis, can cause anemia in dialysis patients. Although recent trials have indicated patients receiving IV iron had additional increases in Hemoglobin (Hgb) levels when ferritin was > 500 ng/mL, current guidelines do not support regular intravenous (IV) iron delivery when ferritin levels are more than 500 ng/mL. The goal of this study is to assess the effectiveness of IV iron treatment in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients with increased ferritin levels by measuring the effect on hemoglobin levels.

Patients who underwent chronic hemodialysis (HD) from March 2001 to October 2009 and had baseline hemoglobin levels of 12 g/dl or less and were administered at least one gram of ferric gluconate, iron sucrose, or iron dextran over the course of a month were included in this retrospective analysis. The main goal was to assess the effectiveness of IV iron treatments on hemodialysis patients receiving epoetin alfa who had anemia and increased ferritin levels, as measured by a change in Hgb values during a 90-day period. Changes in ferritin and iron saturation at baseline and 90 days after IV iron treatment are examples of secondary outcomes.

12 patients from the ages of 2 to 17 were included; Blood pressure, a biochemical profile, insulin resistance (HOMA index), a blood count, a lipid panel, a parathyroid hormone test, a USCRP, echocardiography, and a carotid Doppler test were among the measurements taken.