Acute isovolaemic haemodilution: the best option for autologous blood transfusion in Africa?

The purpose of this study was to identify the best method of autologous blood transfusion to be applied in an East African hospital. One hundred and nine consecutive patients for whom major blood loss was anticipated were enrolled. Seventeen patients donated 1 unit of blood 3 days preoperatively and 92 underwent acute isovolaemic haemodilution prior to induction of anaesthesia. For the haemodiluted patients a 2:1 ratio of sterile pryogen-free saline to collected blood was used. One of the 16 patients from whom 2 units were withdrawn by haemodilution experienced hypovolaemia which was rapidly restored by additional transfusion of colloid. Of the patients who donated blood preoperatively only 23.5% were autotransfused compared to 98.9% of the haemodiluted patients. Of the latter 23.9% (22) had an intraoperative blood loss exceeding 15% of their total blood volume and 7.6% (7) lost more than 25%. Only one received homologous blood in addition. For hospitals with limited blood bank facilities and regular cancellation of surgery, the use of acute isovolaemic haemodilution is recommended. A 3:1 ratio of saline to blood is now advised when 1 unit is withdrawn and a part replacement with crystalloid when 2 units are collected.