Comparison of the efficacy of autologious blood transfusion combined with preoperative hemodilution, with homologous blood transfusion in patients undergoing elective surgical procedure

Background: To study the changes in haemogram and coagulation profile in patients undergoing autologous and homologous blood transfusion and suitability of the technique of autologous blood transfusion in routine blood bank management.Methods: Patients who were waiting to undergo elective surgical procedures were randomly distributed in two groups, Group A: Autologous blood transfusion, with or without haemodilution: wherein pre-operative period a predicted volume of blood was collected and Group B: Homologous blood transfusion: where required blood was arranged from Blood Bank. The cardiovascular status, the haemogram and the coagulation profile were recorded at various stages.Results: Out of 240 patients registered only 43 could fulfil the basic requirements only 25 could be motivated in each group. In Group A cases were of age group 51-60 years while it was 41-50 years in Group B. Male:Female ratio was 2:1. 47 Units were retransfused to Group A patients, Group B cases received 45 blood transfusions. In Group A patients 8% cases showed mild hypotention and 1% showed mild hypersensitivity to Haemacel. In Group B, 40% cases showed transfusion reactions. Fall in Hb was lesser in Group A (2.4) on first and (1.7) on second postoperative day compared to Group B (3.3) on first and (2.7) on second postoperative day. The haematocrit levels declined more sharply after operation in Group B (7) rather than Group A (10.4).Conclusions: Advantage of avoiding transfusion reactions, major changes in blood parameters, entry of infections proves Autologous blood transfusion to be the safest, cost effective and easy form of transfusion therapy.