Autologous blood transfusion in total joint arthroplasty

In 1974, an autologous blood transfusion program for total joint replacements was established at William Beaumont Hospital. From 1980 through 1984, 396 patients donated 1,619 units of blood. The patients' ages ranged from 23 to 89 years (median, 63 years) in men and 29 to 89 years (median, 67 years) in women. Blood was collected on a weekly basis, if the patient's hematocrit was greater than 34%. Blood collected within 49 days of surgery was maintained in a liquid state; otherwise, it was frozen. Patients with a history of cardiovascular disease received permission from their internist before donating blood. The cost per unit of frozen blood was much higher than that of liquid blood. Autologous blood transfusion is safe, there is no age limitation for blood donors, and blood can be collected at weekly intervals.