Effect of Erythropoietin (EPO) in Kidney After Cardiac Surgery

Prevention of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) by Erythropoietin (EPO) in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) Surgery - A Prospective Placebo-Controlled Randomized Trial

The purpose of this study is to determine whether erythropoietin is effective in preventing acute kidney dysfunction after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs in 7% to 40% of patients undergoing cardiac surgery, depending on the definition of AKI used. Even small increments in serum creatinine have been shown to be associated with increased mortality after cardiac surgery. However, there are no proven interventions to prevent AKI after cardiac surgery. Erythropoietin (EPO) has been shown to have tissue-protective effects in various experimental models. In this prospective placebo-controlled randomized trial, we evaluated the effectiveness of EPO in the prevention of AKI after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients scheduled for elective CABG over age 18

Exclusion Criteria:

• Under age 18
• Emergent CABG
• Prior exposure to nephrotoxic drug
• Dialysis patients
• Uncontrolled hypertension