Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026
Controlled Reversible Visceral Arterial Ischemia, Venous Congestion and Combined Malperfusion via Midline Laparotomy in Rats
Published on: July 5, 2024
Intraoperative blood salvage and retransfusion from citrate treated wounds is safe and feasible
Christian Olsson1, Per Olsson, Kjell Rådegran
1Cardiothoracic Surgery Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. christian.olsson@karolinska.se
Objectives:
Allogenic blood transfusions are associated with increased morbidity and mortality in surgical patients. The study objective was to investigate the feasibility and safety of intraoperative autotransfusion of unwashed shed whole blood using a novel method.
Design:
Twenty pigs were randomised to autotransfusion or crystalloid volume replacement. In two separate surgical wounds, the surfaces and 400 ml of shed blood were treated in situ with citrate, delivered with an equipment transforming suction to positive pressure. Central haemodynamics were monitored with a pulmonary artery catheter. Effects on oxygen-carrying capacity, formed blood elements, haemolysis, inflammation, metabolism, and coagulation were evaluated with biochemical analyses.
Results:
No clinically relevant adverse effects on haemodynamics were encountered, apart from a decrease in cardiac output and mixed venous saturation similar to that in control animals. Haemoglobin level was better preserved in the autotransfused group (97 vs. 86 g/L, p=0.0007). There were no major differences in biochemical variables and no macroscopic clot formation precluding autotransfusion.
Conclusions:
The technique was safe and feasible for intraoperative blood salvage and autotransfusion. Haemodynamics and biochemical variables were similar to controls. The technique warrants further studies in humans, as it may contribute towards a reduction of allogenic blood transfusions.