The potential role of erythropoietin as a pleiotropic agent in post-cardiac arrest syndrome

Curr Pharm Des. 2011;17(15):1517-29. doi: 10.2174/138161211796197115.

Abstract

Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death worldwide with survival rates still remaining suboptimal. Unfortunately, most cardiac arrest patients, who achieve return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), develop a multi-faceted post-cardiac arrest syndrome, including post-cardiac arrest brain injury, myocardial dysfunction, and systemic ischemia/reperfusion response. Erythropoietin (EPO), the principal hematopoietic hormone regulating erythropoiesis, exhibits diverse cellular effects in nonhematopoietic tissues. Due to its anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant properties, as well as its angiogenic action, EPO plays a role in neuroprotection and cardioprotection. In this regard, EPO represents a promising agent in the cardiac arrest setting, based on a therapeutic strategy that focuses on the post-resuscitation phase. This review aims to provide a comprehensive account of EPO's role in the treatment of each individual component of post-cardiac arrest syndrome.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Brain Diseases / drug therapy
  • Brain Diseases / etiology
  • Brain Diseases / physiopathology
  • Cardiomyopathies / drug therapy
  • Cardiomyopathies / etiology
  • Cardiomyopathies / physiopathology
  • Cardiotonic Agents / pharmacology
  • Cardiotonic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Erythropoietin / pharmacology*
  • Erythropoietin / therapeutic use
  • Heart Arrest / complications*
  • Heart Arrest / therapy
  • Humans
  • Reperfusion Injury / drug therapy*
  • Reperfusion Injury / etiology
  • Reperfusion Injury / physiopathology
  • Syndrome

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Cardiotonic Agents
  • Erythropoietin