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The target hematocrit (HCT) level for administering Epogen (epoetin alfa) to patients with chronic renal failure is typically set around 30%. Epoetin alfa is a recombinant form of erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production in the bone marrow. In chronic renal failure, the kidneys produce less erythropoietin, leading to anemia.

The decision to initiate therapy with Epogen is based on the patient's hematocrit level, which needs to fall within a specific range to help manage anemia effectively. Maintaining the HCT at approximately 30% helps ensure that the patient has sufficient red blood cells to meet the body's oxygenation needs without increasing the risk of thrombotic events that can occur with higher hematocrit levels. This balance is important because excessively high hemoglobin or hematocrit can lead to cardiovascular complications.

The other values provided are generally either too low or too high for initiating treatment with Epogen in this patient population, as lower levels may not effectively address anemia, and higher targets can pose health risks. Therefore, aiming for around 30% provides the best compromise for managing anemia safely and effectively in chronic renal failure patients.