Thursday August 21, 2008

Case: 50 year old patient who is Jehovah's Witness by religious belief said that he will not take any blood or even any product from human blood including fresh frozen plasma, platelet etc. Patient hemoglobin is 9.2 and is scheduled to have Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). You consider Epoetin Alfa as an alternative. What you need to discuss with patient first before writing order?

Answer: Among Erythropoiesis-stimulating agent Epoetin alfa (Procrit and Epogen) contains albumin which is a product from human blood. Beside Epoetin alfa, Darbopoetin alfa (Aranesp) is available in 2 forms: albumin and polysorbate(albumin free). Its important to inform patient about albumin inclusion in given Erythropoiesis-stimulating agent.