Autotransfusion in vascular surgery.

A randomized prospective study of 202 patients undergoing peripheral vascular surgery, with the use of autotransfusion, is presented. Hematologic and hemostatic studies were performed on 50 samples of reclaimed and bank blood. The study showed a lower hemoglobin content in autotransfused blood. At the same time it showed a higher platelet count and higher concentration of labile clotting factors. When the patient's blood was tested 24 hours post-transfusion there was no significant residual hematologic or hemostatic defect. There were 15 complications related to blood transfusion including two deaths. The author concludes that autotransfusion significantly reduces the need for bank blood and post-transfusion complications and that it is safe and easy to use.