[The place of autotransfusion with normovolaemic haemodilution in vascular surgery (author's transl)].

The ever-increasing demand for donor blood, the risks of donor-blood transfusions and economic considerations have made the use of autotransfusion desirable. Among methods for producing autologous blood stores that of obtaining autologous blood with simultaneous normovolaemic haemodilution (using dextran 60; Macrodex 6%) 2--4 days before operation is especially practicable for elective reconstructive vascular surgery. But the same method can also be used in general surgery. Personal experience in operations on 120 patients has shown that the need for donor blood was reduced to 20% of all transfused blood. Improved flow properties of the blood by decreasing viscocity after normovolaemic haemodilution is of particular value in stages III and IV of chronic arterial occlusive disease.