 - Anemia Previously, anemia was a common finding in chronic renal failure. The degree of anemia appears to correlate relatively closely with the degree of prolongation of the bleeding time. Furthermore, correction of anemia with blood transfusions or erythropoietin often improves platelet function. It has been proposed that the rheologic factors play an important role in the relationship between anemia and platelet dysfunction. At a hematocrit above 30 percent, the red cells primarily occupy the center of the vessel, while the platelets are in a skimming layer at the endothelial surface. This close proximity allows the platelets to adhere and then form a platelet plug when there is endothelial injury. With anemia, on the other hand, the platelets are more dispersed, thereby impairing adherence to the endothelium. 