[The use of the Haemolite Cell Saver in cardiovascular surgery].

In eighteen adult patients scheduled for cardiac and vascular surgery, shed blood was treated with the Haemonetics Cell Saver Haemolite. On average by patient, the autologous blood volume restored was 471.94 +/- 235.7 ml. The haemoglobin level was 16.88 g.dl-1 and haematocrit level was 49.31 +/- 7.2%. Thirteen by eighteen patients did not require any homologous blood transfusion. The Cell Saver Haemolite technique is restricted to moderate and gradual peroperative bleeding. This technique is particularly designed for vascular and pediatric surgery. Postoperative shed blood salvage is a marginal indication.