[Autologous blood transfusion and the problem of "safe" blood]

A conception of "safe" blood has been proposed based on autohemotransfusions with the use of the methods of preparation of autologous blood, preoperative isovolemic hemodilution and intraoperative blood salvage. For the latter method special apparatus are needed, while the two former methods are easily performable without complex equipment and high expenses. The wide use of autohemotransfusions is considered as the most reasonable alternative under conditions of diminution of donor number, increased hazard of transmission of some infections through homologous blood transfusions.