Autologous blood transfusion in cardiac surgery.

Two hundred patients were selected and comprised two statistically balanced group of 100 each. Group one received whole bank blood and plasma following extracorporeal circulation and again when further blood replacement was necessary. Group two received autologous transfusion following extracorporeal circulation and homologous bank blood and plasma when further blood replacement was necessary. There was a significant decrease in the total requirement of blood and plasma in group two. There was a saving of 41%in banked blood product requirements. With appropriate use of autologous blood a substantial number of patients undergoing elective open heart surgery can be managed with autologous blood alone and avoid exposure altogether to homologous blood products and transfusion related complications.