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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.