Autologous blood transfusion in patients with placenta previa

Background.  Several studies have shown that autologous blood storage during pregnancy is relatively safe for mother and fetus. However, the need for reappraisal of autologous blood transfusion in obstetric patients has been proposed. Methods.  We retrospectively reviewed the cases of placenta previa and low‐lying placenta among pregnancies at our hospital during an 18‐year period, 1985–2002. The utility of autologous blood transfusion program, which started in 1994 for those with placental positional disorders, was evaluated. Results.  Of the pregnancies reviewed, there were 158 cases (1.9%) of placenta previa or low‐lying placenta. The number of patients transfused with homologous blood decreased from 27.6% (21/76) in the period before implementation of the autologous blood transfusion program to 8.5% (7/82) after its implementation in 1994. In the latter time period, 39.0% (32/82) of patients with placenta previa and low‐lying placenta were phlebotomized and had blood stored. Of those, 71.9% (23/32) were reinfused where one patient (3.1%) needed homologous blood as well. The volume of collected blood per phlebotomy was 367 ± 65 ml, the total volume of collected blood per patient was 803 ± 350 ml, and the total of estimated blood loss per patient was 1326 ± 873 ml. The volume of reinfused blood per patient was 578 ± 326 ml. Conclusions.  The program of autologous blood collection and transfusion in patients with placenta previa resulted in a decrease in homologous blood transfusion. In our program, we recommend starting blood collection and storage at 32 weeks' gestation and phlebotomize 400 ml per week to reach a volume of stored blood of 1200–1500 ml.