EPO was given at a dose of 300 U/kg IV immediately preoperatively and was associated with a reduction in the incidence of AKI from 29% to 8% (p = 0.035) and improved postoperative renal function as indicated by a smaller increase in SCr (% increase at 24 hours of 1% vs. 15%, p = 0.04) and a smaller decline in estimated GFR (% change at 24 hours of +3% vs. -5%, p = 0.04) postoperatively (Table 3). Here, EPO is linked to acute kidney injury.