Autologous transfusion--organization and results of preoperative blood donation by heart surgery patients

This study presents our preoperative autologous blood donation programme that is in use since 1987. 246 patients of cardiothoracic surgery participated in this program. 77% of all patients had preoperative concentrations of haemoglobin above 12g/dl despite frequent donations. 36.5% of patients were transfused exclusively with their own blood products. Reduction of homologous blood transfusion has been achieved with second preoperative plasmaphereses and more restricted indication for blood transfusion. More blood donation could be performed with application of erythropoietin resulting in more frequent preoperative blood donations.