Administering ESAs to CKD patients with the goal of normalizing hemoglobin levels has not demonstrated survival or cardiovascular disease benefit, and may be harmful in comparison to a treatment regimen that delays ESA administration or sets relatively conservative targets (90–110 g/L).
Sources:
Drüeke T, et al. Normalization of hemoglobin level in patients with chronic kidney disease and anemia. N Engl J Med. 2006 Nov 16;355(20):2071-84. PMID: 17108342.
Moist LM, et al. Canadian Society of Nephrology commentary on the 2012 KDIGO Clinical Practice Guideline for Anemia in CKD. Am J Kidney Dis. 2013 Nov;62(5):860-73. PMID: 24054466.
Pfeffer MA, et al. A trial of darbepoetin alfa in type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. N Engl J Med. 2009 Nov 19;361(21):2019-32. PMID: 19880844.
Singh AK, et al. Correction of anemia with epoetin alfa in chronic kidney disease. N Engl J Med. 2006 Nov 16;355(20):2085-98. PMID: 17108343.
Related Resources:
Patient Pamphlet: Chronic Kidney Disease: Making hard choices