New Way of Autologous Blood Donation

Overview

Resuspended erythrocytes can be prepared by manual processing of whole blood or directly by the thetechnique of erythrocytapheresis. The authors describe the possibility to collect two transfusion unitsof red cells, buffy coat removed in additive solutin for autotransfusion, during one session in a groupof 65 patients before surgery planned in advance (mainly orthopaedic surgery) by the technique oferythrocytapheresis. They describe criteria for this blood donation technique, the principle, thenecessary technical equipment, advantages for patients and health institutions as well as disadvantages. From patients within the age bracket of 45 – 85 years two transfusion units of erythrocytes wereobtained. Only in two cases the authors recorded symptoms of citrate reaction, no other undesirablereactions were observed.

Key words:
autotransfusion, erythrocytapheresis