Learn about the
2008T Fresenius Hemodialysis

Interview with
Jeffrey H. Burbank
Founder& CEO of NxStage

Publication:

Low-Dose Treatment with Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents and Cardiovascular Geometry in Chronic Kidney Disease: Is Darbepoetin-α More Effective than Expected?

We think that main findings belong to good outcomes both on cardiovascular side and hematologic too. All patients reached hemoglobin target levels (according to national and international guidelines) with great improving in cardiac performance.

Were any of the findings unexpected?

Main unexpected finding was cardiovascular effect of darbepoetin alfa employed in unsual conversion ratio in respect of alfa epoetin. It seems to be more effective at lower doses than conventional in reaching hemoglobin target and good cardiovascular outcomes.

What should clinicians and patients take away from this study?

We think that clinicians could get a "take home message" by considering that darbepoetin alfa is more effective in controlling cardiovascular performance at low doses (and cheapest prices) in respect of conventional conversion ratio with epoetin alfa.

Patients could receive more clinical benefits with low number of injections to surely obtain an improved therapeutic compliance.

What recommendations do you have for future studies as a result of your study?

We can suggest other clinicians to test our Darbepoetin conversion ratio to collect lower budgets and obtain good outcomes for CKD patients.