Simple method of intraoperative blood collection and reinfusion during aortic surgery

The increasing fear of acquired immune deficiency syndrome and other blood-transmissible diseases and increasing blood-bank shortages prompted a study of the safety and feasibility of a commercially available hand-held unit for collecting and reinfusing blood. The device was used on nine patients undergoing aortic surgery and permitted a mean saving of 2.6 units of banked blood. The reinfusion of collected blood did not result in any coagulation disturbances or changes in renal function. The hemoglobin and platelet levels were comparable to those in a group of patients receiving only banked blood. The unit does not require additional personnel or technical training for its use. The authors conclude that this autotransfusion device is a safe and feasible method of reducing the requirement for banked blood during aortic surgery.