ErythroPOietin Alfa to Prevent Mortality and Reduce Severe Disability in Critically Ill TRAUMA Patients

Inclusion Criteria: Patients with trauma admitted to the ICU who: * Are ≥ 18 to ≤ 75 years of age * Are \< 24 hours since primary traumatic injury * Are invasively mechanically ventilated * Are expected to stay in the ICU ≥ 48 hours * Have a haemoglobin not exceeding the upper limit of the applicable normal (ULN) reference range in clinical use at the treating institution * Have informed consent from a legal surrogate according to local law Exclusion Criteria: Patients will be excluded from the study if any of the following criteria apply: * GCS = 3 and fixed dilated pupils * Recent history of DVT, PE or other thromboembolic event (within previous 12 months or receiving concomitant anticoagulant treatment for this indication) * A chronic hypercoagulable disorder, including known malignancy * Treatment with EPO in the last 30 days * First dose of study drug unable to be given within 24 hours of primary injury * Pregnancy or lactation or 3 months postpartum * Expected to die imminently (\< 24 hours) * Known sensitivity to mammalian cell derived products * Known contraindication to epoetin alfa * End stage renal failure (receives chronic dialysis) * Severe pre-existing physical or mental disability or severe co-morbidity that may interfere with the assessment of outcome * The treating physician believes it is not in the best interest of the patient to be randomised to this trial