Skin microcirculation and regional peripheral resistance in patients with chronic renal anaemia treated with recombinant human erythropoietin

Abstract

Skin microcirculation and regional peripheral resistance were studied in 14 patients with renal anaemia during therapy with recombinant human erythropoietin. Haematocrit was raised from 20.0 to 31.3% after 10-12 weeks of treatment and remained stable over another period of 12 weeks. Antihypertensive treatment had to be intensified in five patients. Regional calf blood flow decreased significantly; accordingly, calculated peripheral vascular resistance was increased by more than 100%. However, transcutaneous oxygen pressure (37.degree.C and 44.degree.C) increased significantly. The pathological vasoconstrictor response of skin capillaries was not influenced. There were no significant differences of any parameter between the patients requiring reinforced anithypertensive therapy and those with stable blood pressure. In conclusion skin oxygenation may be improved by erythropoietin treatment to a large extent despite an increase in calculated total limb vascular resistance.