European heart journal
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European heart journal · Sep 2007
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyRandomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the effect of two dosing regimens of darbepoetin alfa in patients with heart failure and anaemia.
Anaemia is common in chronic heart failure (CHF) and associated with worse outcome. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the effect of two darbepoetin alfa dosing regimens on haemoglobin (Hb) rate of rise and clinical effects in patients with CHF and anaemia. ⋯ In this study of patients with CHF and anaemia, treatment with darbepoetin alfa raised Hb using different dosing regimens. Darbepoetin alfa improved some quality of life indices, but its safety requires further exploration. Larger trials are needed to determine the effects on long-term morbidity and mortality.