Dr. Barbui on Hematocrit Levels in Polycythemia Vera

Tiziano Barbui, MD, USC Hematology, Ospedali Riuniti di Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy, on hematocrit (HCT) levels in patients with polycythemia vera (PV).

Due to varying results in two large randomized clinical trials (PVSG-1 and ECLAP), clinical oncologists are uncertain of the HC levels in patients with PV.

A large scale randomized clinical trial was designed to determine the efficacy and safety of HCT levels to prevent thrombotic events in PV. The trial specifically compared the recommended HCT target compared to HCT levels between 0.45 and 0.50. Patients were randomized to two groups: HCT less than 0.45 and HCT 0.45-0.50. The incidence of major cardiovascular events was four times as high in patients with HCT levels greater than 0.45. The research concluded that HCT level less than 0.45 is statistically significant to prevent thrombotic complications and the target of therapy in patients with PV.

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