[Reduction of whole blood requirements in coronary surgery with hemoseparation and isovolemic hemodilution].

Because of relative shortage of homologous stored blood, and the dangers of transmission infectious diseases and isoimmunisation, we tried to reduce blood requirement in cardiac surgery. In 139 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery different techniques of autotransfusion were applied. A 52% reduction of whole blood transfusion compared to a control group of patients could be obtained by preoperative isovolaemic haemodilution. The application of haemoseparation reduced the amount of whole blood used by 55%. When the two techniques were combined the use of whole blood was reduced by 70% compared to the control group of patients. In contrast retransfusion of blood remaining in the oxygenator is not advisable because only a small amount of blood can be saved in this way and in addition it results in a higher risk of postoperative bleeding. Our results will be discussed reviewing the literature.