[Autologous blood donation with preliminary erythropoietin stimulation].

Abstract

Low basal hemoglobin and functional iron deficiency are the limiting factors in autologous blood donation program. Treatment with recombinant human erythropoietin can increase the volume of autologous blood and makes donation of > or = 3 units possible-even in patients with low basal hemoglobin. Best results are obtained if stimulation begins already one week before first donation.