[Previously deposited autologous blood for rheumatic patient in surgical field]

From June 1991 to February 1992, an autologous blood transfusion program was employed for 26 rheumatic patients in this hospital. Among them, 16 were diagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 6 osteoarthritis (OA) and 4 ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Knee synovectomy was performed for 7 patients and total hip or knee arthroplasty for the other 19 patients. The total amount of blood autotransfused was 15,200 ml, which accounted for 89.4% of the total blood transfusion during the operation. Twenty-one patients (80.7%) received only autologous blood, while the other 5 (19.3%) required additional homologous blood. Only one adverse reaction occurred in one patient who received homologous blood. By the observation of a series of clinical and immunological indices, no aggravation was seen. Therefore we believe a program of prior deposit and storage of autologous blood for rheumatic patients, who need surgical treatment, is both cost-effective and safe.