Erythropoietin Does Not Reduce Infarct Size in ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Pleiotropic effects of erythropoietin include stimulation of angiogenesis and protection against apoptosis. To determine whether erythropoietin has cardioprotective effects during ischemic events, investigators conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial of a single bolus of intravenous epoetin alfa in patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) after successful percutaneous coronary intervention. The primary endpoint of the study was infarct size, as assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging 2 to 6 days after drug delivery. A second CMR was performed a mean of 12 weeks later.

Over a 3-year period, 222 patients were enrolled at 28 sites. Infarct size did not differ between the epoet…