Anemia erythropoiesis-stimulating agents

Macdougall IC (2005) CERA (Continuous Erythropoietin Receptor Activator) a new erythropoiesis-stimulating agent for the treatment of anemia. Curr Hematol Rep 4 436-440... 

Patients with CKD should be evaluated for anemia when the GFR falls below 60 mL/minute or if the serum creatinine rises above 2 mg/dL (176.8 mmol/L). If the Hgb is less than 11 g/dL (6.8 mmol/L), an anemia work-up should be performed. The work-up for anemia should rule out other potential causes for anemia (see Chapter 63). Abnormalities found during the anemia work-up should be corrected before initiating erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA),... 

The first-line treatment for anemia of CKD involves replacement of erythropoietin with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs). Use of ESAs increases the iron demand for RBC production and iron deficiency is common, requiring iron supplementation to correct and maintain adequate iron stores to promote RBC production. Androgens were used extensively... 

Singh FI, Reed J, Noble S,Cangiano JL,Van WyckDB. Effect of intravenous iron sucrose in peritoneal dialysis patients who receive erythropoiesis-stimulating agents for anemia A randomized, controlled trial. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2006 1 475-482. 

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