Autotransfusion (AT) is an alternative to reduce the incidence of complications following homologous blood transfusion. The utilization of autogenous blood is feasible in elective surgical procedures (Pre-AT). A prospective comparative study was carried out in order to establish the ideal parameters for pre-AT, concerning volume, time interval prior to surgery and benefits to the patient, among others. Ninety-six consecutive patients candidates for myocardial revascularization, were analized in the present study. These patients did not present hypoproteinemia, anemia, infections or more than 70 years of age; cardiac reoperations were discarded. Four groups (G) were considered: GI - control group, without pre-AT (41 patients); GII - collection of 500 to 600 ml, comprizing the groups; GII-A - until 7 days before surgery (35 patients); GII-B - from 8 to 15 days before surgery (14 patients); GIII - collection of 1000 ml more than 30 days before operation, with reinfusion and a new collection after 15 days (6 patients). Mean age and hemotocrit were comparable in the different groups. In a few patients postoperative AT was utilized. The results indicated that homologous blood transfusion were necessary in 63% of GI, 26% of GII-A, 43% of GII-B and 67% of GIII patients. The mean amount of autogenous blood reinfused was 534 ml/patient in GII-A, 539 ml/patient in GII-B, and 908 ml/patient in GIII. The postoperative hematocrit at discharge from the hospital was comparable in the four groups. There were no deaths. A smaller number of patients in GII-A received homologous blood (p = 0,008) and there was no statistically significant difference in the groups II-A, II-B and III concerning the volume of homologous blood received. There was no higher incidence of complications, specially bleeding, in the different groups when compared with the control group.
autotransfusion; blood re-utilization; extracorporeal circulation