Pulsed venous flow pattern with hemodilution

Venous flow pattern changes and venous flow were assessed in relation to the degree of hemodilution. Femoral vein flow was measured with a duplex scanner in two groups of 11 patients 20 days and 5 days preoperatively, and 1 day postoperatively. In group I, hemodilution was used and patients gave three autologous blood predonations between day 20 and day 5. Perioperative blood loss was reintegrated by electrolyte solution. In group II, hemodilution was not used and autologous blood predonations were not carried out. These patients received a perioperative homologous blood transfusion of 800 mL. Hemoglobin was lower on day 5 (11.3 +/-1.4 vs 13.1 +/-1 g/dL, p<0.05) and on postoperative day 1 (8.9 +/-1.6 vs 10.6 +/-1, p<0.05) in group I. The decrease in hemoglobin was associated with an increase in blood flow and a pulsed venous flow pattern in 14 of 22 veins after autologous blood predonation and in 21 of 22 veins on postoperative day 1 (p<0.05). Increased venous flow in hemodilution is associated with a pulsed venous flow pattern.