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Early treatment for anemia with epoietin (EPO) and intravenous iron after replacement of the large lower extremity joints permits an 8 g/l increment in hemoglobin concentration to be achieved by postoperative day 10 versus day 2. Objective: to evaluate the efficiency of medical stimulation of erythropoiesis in the treatment of anemia after large joint replacement. Materials and methods. The medical records of patients who had undergone hip or knee joint replacement in January 2010 to August 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. Group 1 (EPO group) included 32 patients who postoperatively received iron saccharate 600 mg and subcutaneous epoietin alfa 40,000 IU. In Group 2 (IRON group), 27 patients took iron saccha-rate 600 mg without epoietin. In Group 3 (CON group) 62 patients had no parenteral erythropoietic stimulants. Blood hemoglobin levels on postoperative days 1, 2, and 10 were a main control indicator. Blood transfusion therapy was not performed in the identified groups. Results. In the first two days, hemoglobin levels were statistically significantly higher in the CON group than those in the EPO group and on day 10 intergroup differences were absent. By day 10 versus day 2, a statistically significant increase in hemoglobin concentrations was found in the EPO and IRON groups. In the EPO group, the hemoglobin concentration increment was significantly higher than that in the CON group. There were no clinical signs of thrombosis and thromboembolic events in the patients of the study groups. Conclusion. The co-administration of intravenous iron and epoietin enables an 8 g/l increase to be achieved on postoperative day 10 versus day 2. Key words: joint replacement, anemia, epoietin, iron saccharate, intravenous iron.

Objective: to estimate changes in respiratory and circulatory functions in the acutest period in patients with pulmonary artery thromboembolism (PATE) without arterial hypotension during their first visit. Subjects and methods. The authors analyzed 28 cases of PATE without lowered blood pressure (BP) on primary examination in the prehospital stage (systolic BP (SBP) was less than 100 mm Hg). The study enrolled 17 men and 11 women; their mean age was 67.5±14.5 years. The clinical and ECG pattern was compared on primary examination and over time (following an average of 87±29.7 min). Results. With emergency team care, the rate of tachypnea decreased from 75% on primary examination to 64% over time (p=0.07). Mean respiration rate (RR) fell from 24.0±5.7 to 21.0±5.6 per min (p=0.02). The manifestations of cyanosis were also reduced from 39 to 32% (p=0.4). On primary examination, mean RR, SBP, and diastolic BP were 100.0±19.1 per min, 140.0±21.9 and 80.0±11.5 mm Hg, respectively; after prehospital therapy, these were 100.0±28.2 per min, 130.0±36.8 and 80.0±21.9 mm Hg, respectively (p>0.5). Tachycardia was observed in 60% of the patients both on primary examination and following therapy. One (4%) patient, over time, developed hypotension. ECG analysis revealed an increase in the signs of right cardiac cavity overload. Conclusion. A prehospital fatal outcome was recorded in 1 (4%) patient of those having PATE without arterial hypotension; _ total mortality was 18%. There was progressive deterioration in 32% of the patients due to the progression of both respiratory and cardiovascular failures correctable in the prehospital stage in more than 32 and 39% of cases, respectively. Key words: pulmonary artery thromboembolism, prehospital stage, mortality.