Autologous transfusions, or autotransfusions (AT) is a process that uses the patient's own blood for transfusion. AT has been available for nearly 30 years. It removes many of the risks of blood transfusion from donors including transmitting infectious disease and ensures that the blood type is a perfect match.  It also reduces the risk of allergic reactions to blood components.

AT techniques include:

• Intraoperative Cell Salvage. This process recovers blood lost in a surgery and prepares it to be returned to the patient. It is performed with a "cell saver" machine that collects the blood the patient loses and spins it to capture just the Red Blood Cells (RBCs). The machine then washes and filters the patient's own RBCs, which are then available for return back to the patient's circulatory system. Because the blood is re-circulated, there is no limit to the amount of blood a patient can receive. Additionally, there is no risk of contracting outside diseases, since the patient is receiving their own blood. This process can be used in any surgery where significant blood loss is a risk.
• Postoperative Cell Salvage. This is the same process as Intraoperative Cell Salvage, except that it is conducted after, rather than during the surgery. The patient's blood is collected from the surgical wound in sterile tubes and then cleansed using the  "cell saver" machinery. This process is usually performed in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) recovery room, although it can also be performed in a patient's hospital room, if necessary.
• Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) / Autologous Platelet Gel (APG). PRP/APG is a by-product of blood (plasma) that is rich in platelets.
• Fibrin Glue. This pasty substance is made from the patient's own blood and applied directly to a wound to stop bleeding that cannot be controlled by other means.
  
  
  • Learn more about the circulatory system.
  • Learn more about blood transfusions.
  • Learn more about PRP/APG.