Erythropoietin in heart failure: Pathology and protection

Anemia is common in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients and related to impaired survival. The etiology of anemia in CHF-patients is often unknown. We hypothesized that dysregulation of erythropoietin (EPO) synthesis by the kidney or an altered sensitivity of the bone marrow to EPO might represent causes specific for CHF. In addition, recombinant human EPO (rhEPO) has been shown to improve cardiac function in heart failure. We hypothesized that EPO-induced improvement of cardiac function is mediated through mechanisms that are unrelated to increases in hematocrit levels. In the present thesis we explored EPO as a pahthophysiological factor in anemia and the mechanisms of its ancillary beneficial cardiac effects in heart failure.