Losartan Reduces Hematocrit in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Secondary Erythrocytosis
Authors: Demetrios V. Vlahakos, K.P. Marathias, E.N. Kosmas
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2001)

Letters6 March 2001Losartan Reduces Hematocrit in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Secondary ErythrocytosisDemetrios V. Vlahakos, MD, K.P. Marathias, MD, and E.N. Kosmas, MDDemetrios V. Vlahakos, MDOnassis Cardiac Surgery Center; 17674 Kallithea, Athens, Greece (Vlahakos, Marathias)Amalia Fleming General Hospital; 15127 Athens, Greece (Kosmas), K.P. Marathias, MDOnassis Cardiac Surgery Center; 17674 Kallithea, Athens, Greece (Vlahakos, Marathias)Amalia Fleming General Hospital; 15127 Athens, Greece (Kosmas), and E.N. Kosmas, MDOnassis Cardiac Surgery Center; 17674 Kallithea, Athens, Greece (Vlahakos, Marathias)Amalia Fleming General Hospital; 15127 Athens, Greece (Kosmas)Author, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-134-5-200103060-00022 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:Many studies suggest a positive correlation between the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) and enhanced erythropoiesis. We recently reported that RAS activation may be causally associated with the development of secondary erythrocytosis in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (1). Therefore, we investigated whether losartan could normalize hematocrit in such patients.Our study was a 4-week, open-label trial of losartan in which the daily dose was increased by 25 mg each week: 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg. Participants were nine chronically hypoxemic patients, all former smokers (six men and three women; mean age [±SD], 62 ± 3 years), who ...References1. Vlahakos DV, Kosmas EN, Dimopoulou I, Ikonomou E, Jullien G, Vassilakos P, et al. . Association between activation of the renin-angiotensin system and secondary erythrocytosis in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Am J Med. 1999;106:158-64. [PMID: 0010230744] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. Vlahakos DV, Canzanello VJ, Madaio MP, Madias NE. Enalapril-associated anemia in renal transplant recipients treated for hypertension. Am J Kidney Dis. 1991;17:199-205. [PMID: 0001992663] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Gaston RS, Julian BA, Diethelm AG, Curtis JJ. Effects of enalapril on erythrocytosis after renal transplantation. Ann Intern Med. 1991;115:954-5. [PMID: 0001952492] LinkGoogle Scholar4. Vlahakos DV, Balodimos C, Papachristopoulos V, Vassilakos P, Hinari E, Vlachojannis JG. Renin-angiotensin system stimulates erythropoietin secretion in chronic hemodialysis patients. Clin Nephrol. 1995;43:53-9. [PMID: 0007697936] MedlineGoogle Scholar5. Mrug M, Stopka T, Julian BA, Prchal JF, Prchal JT. Angiotensin II stimulates proliferation of normal early erythroid progenitors. J Clin Invest. 1997;100:2310-4. [PMID: 0009410909] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center; 17674 Kallithea, Athens, Greece (Vlahakos, Marathias)Amalia Fleming General Hospital; 15127 Athens, Greece (Kosmas) PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoAngiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors for Secondary Erythrocytosis Fadi Fakhouri , Jean-Pierre Grünfeld , Olivier Hermine , and Richard Delarue Metrics Cited byDiscontinuation of the renin–angiotensin system inhibitors improves erythropoiesis in patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromesAnemia in Chronic Kidney DiseaseInhibition of the renin-angiotensin system in the cardiorenal syndrome with anaemiaA STUDY OF ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC, ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC AND HAEMATOLOGICAL FINDINGS IN CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE LUNG DISEASEImportance des comorbidités dans l'anémie de la BPCO : impact médico-économique et survie à 3 ansEritrocitosis secundaria a hipoxemia en neumopatías crónicas: de la reología a la práctica clínicaRenin-angiotensin system inhibitors linked to anemia: a systematic review and meta-analysisAssociation of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor Therapy Initiation With a Reduction in Hemoglobin Levels in Patients Without Renal FailureBPCO et érythropoïèse : interactions et conséquencesPulmonary Hypertension Secondary to COPDBPCO ed emopatieThe Role of the Renin-Angiotensin System in the Regulation of ErythropoiesisTreatment of chronic mountain sickness: Critical reappraisal of an old problemThe ReplyAnemia in heart failure-A concise reviewApoptotic mechanisms in the control of erythropoiesisAngiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors for Secondary ErythrocytosisFadi Fakhouri, MD, Jean-Pierre Grünfeld, MD, Olivier Hermine, MD, PhD, and Richard Delarue, MDComparative Effects of Fosinopril and Irbesartan on Hematopoiesis in Essential HypertensivesDo alterations of endogenous angiotensin II levels regulate erythropoietin production in humans?Posttransplant erythrocytosisPolycythemia Vera: A Comprehensive Review and Clinical Recommendations 6 March 2001Volume 134, Issue 5Page: 426-427KeywordsChronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseErythropoiesisErythropoietinHematocritHemoglobinOxygenPhlebotomyPolycythemiaRenal transplantationResearch laboratories ePublished: 6 March 2001 Issue Published: 6 March 2001 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2001 by American College of Physicians. 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