“Once erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) are started, they should be continued unless the patient’s hemoglobin level is above the desired level
ESAs decrease the patient’s survival rate because they increase the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, blood clots, and increased tumor growth rates.
The hemoglobin target in renal dialysis patients is 11.0 g/dL. A higher hemoglobin target may actually increase mortality rates. The target hemoglobin rate for CDK patients who are not on dialysis is the same as for dialysis patients.
Once the hemoglobin target has been reached in patients with chronic kidney disease, the medications should be continued at a lower dosage.”
