Scientific Poster Session II - Original Research

Original Research
  Sunday, November 12, 2023
  12:45 PM–02:15 PM

Abstract

Introduction: Many individuals abstain from the use of blood products or components due to religious beliefs or cultural practices. Following a traumatic injury, blood loss and inflammatory processes are associated with anemia, decreasing oxygen delivery to tissues and organs. This warrants the need for alternative treatment methods to blood transfusions in this population. Current literature investigates the use of epoetin alfa, an albumin-containing erythropoiesis stimulating agent (ESA), to treat anemia for this indication, however, this may be problematic as albumin is a blood-derived product. Darbepoetin alfa, an albumin-free alternative, is the formulary ESA at our institution for this population.

Research Question or Hypothesis: The objective is to describe the impact of darbepoetin alfa on anemia and outcomes in trauma patients who abstain from blood products.

Study Design: This was a single center, retrospective, descriptive study.

Methods: Patients >/= 18 years of age admitted to a trauma service between August 1, 2010 to August 1, 2022 with anemia (hemoglobin < 7 g/dL or hematocrit < 21%) who abstained from blood products and received darbepoetin alfa were included. The primary outcome was time from onset to resolution of anemia. Safety outcomes included occurrence of myocardial infarction and/or venous thromboembolism. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize population characteristics and outcomes.

Results: Nine patients met inclusion criteria with a median admission hemoglobin of 10 g/dL. The median time from onset to resolution of anemia was nine and eight days using hemoglobin and hematocrit, respectively. One patient experienced a type II non-ST elevation myocardial infarction.

Conclusion: In this cohort, the use of darbepoetin alfa appeared to be a safe treatment option to treat anemia secondary to trauma for patients who abstain from blood products. Future studies are needed to assess epoetin alfa versus darbepoetin alfa, darbepoetin alfa versus non-darbepoetin alfa use, and hemoglobin cutoffs for darbepoetin alfa administration.

Presenting Author

Madilyn Harris PharmD
University of Kentucky HealthCare

Authors

Dina Ali PharmD
UK Healthcare

Alexis Nickols MD
University of Kentucky HealthCare

William Olney PharmD
Augusta University Medical Center/University of Georgia College of Pharmacy

Sara Parli PharmD, BCCCP
University of Kentucky HealthCare

Jacqueline Dempsey PharmD
University of Kentucky HealthCare