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What is already known about this subject: The recombinant human
erythropoietin (rhEPO) has demonstrated effectiveness in perioperative
autologous blood donation in total joint arthroplasty but the optimal
short-term daily dosing schedule of rhEPO for TKA patients still needs
to be investigated.
What this study adds: A small dose of daily rhEPO from
preoperative day 5 to postoperative day 3 could significantly decrease
perioperative blood loss as well as slow the decline in postoperative Hb
levels in TKA patients without causing additional complications.