Erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESAs) for congestive heart failure: The red and the black

CHF is a disease of high incidence and prevalence in the elderly. Anemia is associated with an increased mortality in these patients. Erythropoietin secretion is reduced in these patients due to complexed mechanisms. Although some improvement in quality of life has been shown when using ESAs it has not been found any decrement on mortality. Moreover, safety reports suggest an increased risk of thromboembolic event. Together with the high drug cost, the use of ESAs cannot be recommended for the treatment of CHF patients.