Moderate acute normovolaemic haemodilution - a limited experience with autologous blood transfusion

ABSTRACT

Blood is transfused to increase the oxygen carrying capacity and the intravascular volume. The requirement of blood transfusion is not simply dependent upon the haemoglobin or haematocrit values but the emphasis is also placed upon the age and health of the patient. The potential risks of blood transfusion have necessitated finding alternatives to allogeneic blood transfusion. This study was conducted to determine the efficacy and safety of moderate acute normovolemic hemodilution to reduce allogeneic red blood cells transfusion in operations in which blood transfusion was otherwise required. It is an interventional clinical trial. The study was carried out in the department of anaesthesia, operation theatre and intensive therapy care unit, Combined Military Hospital, Okara Cantt, during the period from January 2003 to October 2003. Twenty five patients of ASA-I and II status, who were undergoing elective surgical procedures, were subjected to the technique of moderate acute normovolaemic haemodilution. The intravascular volume of the patients was maintained with lactated Ringer's solution and 6% hexaethyl starch solution. Autologous blood was reinfused after the operation. All patients in this study remained haemodynamically stable. No patient required any homologous blood transfusion. Moderate ANH was found a useful, safe and economical technique. It can be used as an alternative technique in operations in which homologous blood is otherwise required