A Pilot Clinical Study Evaluating the Effect of Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) Lowering On Erythropoietin Consumption in Calcitriol-Resistant Patients

"Paricalcitol was administered by intravenous bolus. The initial dose was calculated according to the following formula:~\[Paricalcitol (µg) = iPTH (pg/mL) / 80\]. Subsequent doses were determined based on iPTH, calcium and phosphorus levels."

Routine darbepoetin alfa use was allowed when transferrin saturation (TSAT) was ≥ 20% and ferritin ≥ 200 μg/L, and hemoglobin level \< 11.5 g/dL. The initial dose was 0.25 to 0.75 µg/kg/week, and the maintenance dose was 0.13 to 0.35 µg/kg/week. Target hemoglobin level was between 10 to 11.5 g/dL.