Epoetin alfa facilitates presurgical autologous blood donation in non-anaemic patients scheduled for orthopaedic or cardiovascular surgery.

Patients expected to need at least three units of blood for their elective cardiovascular or orthopaedic surgery, were allocated randomly to receive intravenous (i.v.) Epoetin alfa 600 IU kg-1 (n = 27), 300 IU kg-1 (n = 30) or placebo (n = 23), on days 1, 4 and 7.

[Preoperative normovolemic hemodilution using erythropheresis].

Normovolaemic haemodilution was carried out by erythropheresis by the Blood Bank, 24 to 72 yours before surgery, using a plasmapheresis device. A special disposable haemodilution kit was used, with one plasma and three red cell collection bags and CPD as anticoagulant. Plasma was replaced by 4% albumin.

[Back pain after epidural anesthesia].

A 24-year-old female patient underwent a minor orthopaedic procedure under epidural anaesthesia. She had a past history of lumbar backache. The epidural anaesthetic was carried out with the patient sitting.