- Patients with known hypersensitivity or contraindications to iron, liver insufficiency (aspartate aminotransferase or alanine aminotransferase >60 IU/L), bronchial asthma, presence of acute or chronic infection, severe heart disease, significant history of allergies (rash, etc.) or anti-anaemia treatment within 15 days prior to surgery were excluded from participation. Also pregnant or nursing women were excluded (negative pregnancy urine test within 7 days prior first study treatment or amenorrhoea for at least 12 months).