Erythropoietin in cardioprotection: does it have a future or is it all in the past?

Over the past two decades, we have seen a gradual reduction in mortality from myocardial infarction due in a large part to the advent of revascularization and other cardioprotective strategies. However, myocardial infarction is still the most common cause of morbidity, related primarily to the loss of left ventricular function and mortality. A host of novel strategies are being examined to limit myocardial infarct size. Towards that goal, several investigators have suggested that erythropoietin (EPO) therapy may hold a new promise. The article by Kobayashi et al. in the current issue of Cardiovascular Research describes a new drug delivery protocol for the use of EPO in the postmyocardial infarction setting.