Autologous blood donation

Autologous blood donation is a medical procedure where a person donates blood for their own use, typically in preparation for a surgical procedure. This practice is often employed to mitigate the risks associated with blood transfusion, such as transfusion reactions and blood-borne diseases.

Overview

Autologous blood donation is a form of blood donation where the donor and recipient are the same person. This is in contrast to allogeneic blood donation, where blood is donated by one person for use by another. Autologous donation is typically used in preparation for elective surgeries, particularly those that carry a high risk of requiring a blood transfusion.

Procedure

The procedure for autologous blood donation typically involves the collection of blood from the donor several weeks prior to the scheduled surgery. The blood is then stored until it is needed. The number of units of blood collected depends on the anticipated blood loss during surgery, the donor's hemoglobin level, and the donor's overall health status.

Benefits

The primary benefit of autologous blood donation is the elimination of most risks associated with blood transfusions, including transfusion reactions and the transmission of blood-borne diseases. Additionally, it ensures that the patient will have a sufficient supply of blood available if a transfusion is needed during surgery.

Risks

While autologous blood donation is generally considered safe, there are some risks associated with the procedure. These include the risks associated with blood donation, such as fainting and infection at the donation site. There is also a risk that the donated blood may not be used, either because the surgery is cancelled or the blood is not needed.

See also

• Blood donation
• Blood transfusion
• Allogeneic blood donation