Effect of erythropoietin and transfusion threshold on neurological recovery after traumatic brain injury: a randomized clinical trial.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

There is limited information about the effect of erythropoietin or a high hemoglobin transfusion threshold after a traumatic brain injury.

Objective

To compare the effects of erythropoietin and 2 hemoglobin transfusion thresholds (7 and 10 g/dL) on neurological recovery after traumatic brain injury.

Design, setting, and participants

Randomized clinical trial of 200 patients (erythropoietin, n = 102; placebo, n = 98) with closed head injury who were unable to follow commands and were enrolled within 6 hours of injury at neurosurgical intensive care units in 2 US level I trauma centers between May 2006 and August 2012. The study used a factorial design to test whether erythropoietin would fail to improve favorable outcomes by 20% and whether a hemoglobin tran

SUBMITTER: Robertson CS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4113910 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature