Is normalising haemoglobin in patients with CKD harmful and if so, why?

Symptomatic anaemia is found in patients with chronic kidney disease. Correction of anaemia by erythropoiesis stimulating agents improves quality of life and life expectancy. Data from patients with both dialysis dependent and nondialysis dependent chronic kidney disease now show that the mortality from cardiovascular disease increases if the haemoglobin concentration is corrected above 13.0 g/dl. The mechanism for this increased risk is uncertain.