A successful autologous program should enroll all appropriate patients, conserve homologous blood and minimise the exposure to the risks of donor blood.
A program of autotransfusion and proper use of blood has been implemented since 1980 with the objectives to include all eligible patients and to transfuse autologous blood only. The following strategies were adopted: critical review of transfusion indications; control of overtransfusion; avoidance of waste; systematic and integrated use of all autotransfusion techniques currently available.
Results in 1992 in elective surgery: 98% enrolment, 75% blood conservation. Exposure to homologous blood was completely avoided in 53% of the cases.
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GoodnoughL.T.Erythropoietin as a pharmacologic alternative to blood transfusion in the surgical patient.Transfus Med Rev1990; 4: 228–96.
10.
ToyP.T., StraussR.G., StehlingL.C.Predeposited autologous blood for elective surgery. A national multicenter study.N Eng J Med1987; 316: 517–20.
11.
American Medical Association.Autologous blood transfusions. Council on Scientific Affairs.JAMA1986; 256: 2378–80.
12.
HaugenR.K., HillG.E.A large-scale autologous blood program in a community hospital. A contribution to the community's blood supply.JAMA1987; 257: 1211–4.
13.
MercurialiF., InghilleriG., BiffiE., ColottiM.T., VinciA.Autologous blood: a safe alternative for surgical patients.Eastbourne, UK: Trans Medica Europe Limited, NBV House, 1989; 144–5.
14.
LevineE.A., GouldS.A., RosenA.L.Perioperative recombinant human erythropoietin.SurgerY1989; 106: 432–8.
GoodnoughL.T., RudnickS., PriceT.H.Increased preoperative collection of autologous blood with recombinant human eythropoietin therapy.N Engl J Med1989; 321: 1163–8.
17.
WilliamsonK.R., TaswellH.F.Intraoperative blood salvage: a review, Transfusion1991; 31: 662–75.
18.
WenzB., BurnsE.R.Improvement in transfusion safety using a new blood unit and patient identification system as part of safe transfusion practice.Transfusion1991; 31: 401–3.
19.
MercurialiF., BiffiE., InghilleriG., VinciA.Review of the role of preoperative autologous blood donation and intraoperative blood salvage.Erythropoiesis1990; 1: 47–55.
20.
MercurialiF., BiffiE., InghilleriG., VinciA.Low hematocrit: limiting factor in autologous blood predonation program. In: CastelliD., GenetetB., HabibiB., NydeggerU., eds. Transfusion in Europe, Paris ISBT, 1989; 291–8.
21.
GoodnoughL.T., BrittenhamG.M.Limitations of the erythropoietic response to serial plebotomy: implications for autologous blood donor programs.J Lab Clin Med1990; 155: 28–35.
22.
KicklerT.S., SpivakJ.L.Effect of repeated whole blood donations on serum immunoreactive erythropoietin levels in autologous donors.JAMA1988; 260: 65–7.
23.
MercurialiF., ZanellaA., BarosiG.Use of erythropoietin to increase the volume of autologous blood donated by orthopedic patients.Transfusion1990; 33: 55–60.
24.
AxelrodF.B., PepkowitzS.H., GoldfingerD.Establishement of a schedule of optimal preoperative collection of autologous blood.Transfusion1989; 29: 677–80.
