Autologous transfusion reduces blood transfusion requirements in aortic surgery

Background: Elective aortic surgery is associated with a blood loss that warrants a routine blood crossmatch of 4–6 units. Autologous transfusion strategies to reduce blood requirements were evaluated in a pilot study involving six hospitals in the North West. Methods: Eighty patients undergoing elective aortic surgery were randomized to either autologous (a combination of acute normovolaemic haemodilution and intraoperative cell salvage) or homologous transfusion. The transfusion trigger, in the absence of pressing clinical need, was 8 g dl –1 haemoglobin for both groups. Results: Randomization achieved two groups well matched for age, aneurysm or occlusive surgery, aspirin intake, estimated blood volume, preoperative haemoglobin and aneurysm size. In the ‘best’ hospitals ( n = 49) mean(s.d.) blood loss (630(49) ml) was significantly lower ( P < 0·01) than that in the ‘worst’ hospitals (1077(110) ml, n = 31) and fewer patients required transfusion (nine of 42 versus 15 of 30; P < 0·05). No significant differences were found between homologous and autologous groups for all variables measured in the ‘best’ hospitals. In the ‘worst’ hospitals blood requirements were significantly higher ( P < 0·05) for the homologous group (800(112) ml) compared with the autologous group (489(65) ml), although blood loss was similar (1239(195) versus 915(92) ml respectively). Conclusion: Autologous transfusion techniques significantly reduced homologous blood requirements in aortic surgery where blood loss exceeded 800 ml. © 1999 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd