ABSTRACT

Acute normovolemic hemodilution is a technique that involves the removal of whole blood from a patient while restoring the circulating blood volume with a cellular fluid shortly before an anticipated significant surgical blood loss. Preoperative autologous donation is most beneficial for patients at risk for blood transfusion who are undergoing procedures with substantial blood loss, such as orthopedic joint replacement, vascular surgery, cardiac or thoracic surgery, and radical prostatectomy. Autologous blood donation and the transfusion of autologous blood are each associated with risks. Intraoperative recovery of blood involves the collection and reinfusion of autologous red cells lost by a patient during surgery. The use of blood transfusion has declined, probably as a result of more conservative transfusion practices during an era of concerns about the safety of the blood supply. The blood is then stored at room temperature, and reinfused in the operating room after major blood loss has ceased, or sooner if indicated.