For patients with chemotherapy-induced anemia who meet all of the above criteria and who are well informed as to the potential risks, we suggest the use of ESAs, rather than transfusion, as long as they do not have a heightened risk for thromboembolic events (eg, prior history of thromboses, surgery, prolonged periods of immobilization or limited activity) or uncontrolled hypertension.
We recommend RBC transfusion rather than an ESA for patients whose clinical condition indicates the need for immediate correction of the Hb level, and for patients who have established general risk factors for thromboembolic events or uncontrolled hypertension.
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