Neuroprotective Effects of Erythropoietin in Patients with Severe Closed Brain Injury

Abstract

Aim: Our research was focused on the neuroprotective function of erythropoietin (Epo) in patients with severe closed traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Material and methods: Our model examined the influence of the outcome and neurological recovery in 42 adults with TBI who were admitted to ICU within 6 hours of their injury and were recruited into a randomized controlled study of two groups; only the patients of the intervention group received 10,000 i.u. of Epo for 7 consecutive days. A prognostic model based on CRASH II injury model and outcome was measured by survival and Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended version (GOS-E) score at 6 months post-injury.

Results: Six patients (18.7%) died during the first two weeks; 4 of the control group and 2 of the intervention group. A mortality rate of 22.2% and 8.3% for the control and intervention group respectively was observed. A lower rate of good outcome (GOS-E score > 4) at 6 months was mentioned among patients of the control group.

Conclusion: The study provides evidence of lower mortality and better neurological outcome for the patients who received Epo increasing the possibility that Epo therapy could be used in clinical practice, limiting neuronal damage induced by TBI.