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[Autologous blood transfusion. Goals and benefits, limitations and risks demonstrated in a practical concept]
D Glück1, B Kubanek, F W Ahnefeld
1Abteilung Transfusionsmedizin, Universität Ulm.
Autologous transfusion as an alternative to homologous blood is useful, but its applicability is limited to a few patients, as we have shown in the autologous program at the University Hospital of Ulm. Each concept, even more an interdisciplinary one as autologous transfusion, includes risks. Risk factors arising primarily from donation and hemodilution are determined by the patient himself. As it is impossible to evaluate these risks in advance of anesthesia and surgical procedures the program has to provide guidelines and stringent limits to guarantee safety. Should these be ignored, the risks for the patient will be even higher than the risks of homologous transfusion that provide motivation for autotransfusion.
Autologous transfusion as an alternative to homologous blood is useful, but its applicability is limited to a few patients, as we have shown in the autologous program at the University Hospital of Ulm. Each concept, even more an interdisciplinary one as autologous transfusion, includes risks. Risk factors arising primarily from donation and hemodilution are determined by the patient himself. As it is impossible to evaluate these risks in advance of anesthesia and surgical procedures the program has to provide guidelines and stringent limits to guarantee safety. Should these be ignored, the risks for the patient will be even higher than the risks of homologous transfusion that provide motivation for autotransfusion.