术前预存式自体输血联合术中自体血回输在复杂脊柱手术中的应用效果

目的探讨术前预存式自体输血联合术中自体血回输在复杂脊柱手术应用中是否可以取代异体输血,观察术后炎性因子的动态变化。方法选择全麻下行复杂的脊柱外科手术40例,随机分成异体组和自体组(n=20),异体组患者围术期仅输入异体血,自体组患者术前1周预存自体全血400 mL,并在术中使用自体血回收机回收手术野的失血,处理后室温保存在血袋中,术中回输给患者。所有患者均于麻醉诱导后即刻(T1)、输血前(T2)、输血后(T3)抽取动脉血行血气分析,并留置5 mL血标本于抗凝试管中;所有患者在术后第1天(T4)、第4天(T5)、第7天(T6)清晨采集静脉血,检测患者血常规,并留置5 mL血标本于抗凝试管中。所有抗凝管血标本经离心后保存在–80℃冰箱,采用ELISA法检测炎症因子IL-6、TNF-α、IL-4、IL-10。结果患者术后血红蛋白值与术前相比均明显降低(P0.05),术后白细胞数值与术前相比均明显升高(P0.05),但两组间差异无统计学意义。与术前相比,两组IL-6浓度在T5时间点明显高于T1,TNF-α、IL-10浓度在T4、T5两个时间点均明显高于T 1(P0.05);与异体组相比,自体组IL-6浓度在T 5两个时间点明显低于异体组,IL-4浓度在T5、T6两个时间点明显低于异体组,TNF-α、IL-10浓度在T4、T5两个时间点明显低于异体组(P0.05)。结论围手术期联合术前预存自体血和术中自体血回收技术,在复杂脊柱外科手术中使用可以减少异体血的使用,节约血资源,且有助于调节机体促炎-抗炎反应平衡,为临床血液保护提供一个可参考的方向。     

不同方法自体血回输对输卵管妊娠破裂患者炎性因子的影响

目的探讨不同方法自体血回输对输卵管妊娠破裂患者炎性因子的影响。方法全身麻醉下行输卵管妊娠破裂出血手术治疗患者45例,随机分为肝素组(H组)、枸橼酸钠组(C组)、白细胞滤器组(LDF组),每组15例。术中均进行自体血回收,H组肝素抗凝,C组枸橼酸钠抗凝、LDF组肝素抗凝,回输时使用白细胞滤器。分别在麻醉诱导前即刻(T1)、自体血回输前(T2)、回输后1h(T3)、回输后12h(T4)、回输后24h(T5)、回输后48h(T6)抽取静脉血检测血清肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、白细胞介素-8(IL-8)、白细胞介素-10(IL-10)水平。结果与T1比较,TNF-α在T3和T6时明显升高(P0.01),IL-6、IL-8在T3、T4、T5时逐渐升高(P0.01),T6时回落(P0.01),IL-10在T2后持续升高(P0.01)。与H组比较,C组和LDF组患者T3时TNF-α水平明显低于H组(P0.01),T3、T4、T5、T6时IL-6、IL-8、IL-10水平低于H组(P0.05或P0.01);与C组比较,LDF组患者T3时TNF-α水平低于C组(P0.05),T3、T4、T5、T6时IL-6、IL-8、IL-10水平低于C组(P0.05或P0.01)。结论运用肝素或枸橼酸钠抗凝进行自体血回输,患者血浆TNF-α、IL-6、IL-8、IL-10水平不同程度增高,自体血回输时使用白细胞滤器,能有效减少各炎性因子的释放。     

自体血液回输对脊椎手术患者围术期血浆ICAM-1和炎症介质的影响

[目的]观察自体血液回输对脊椎手术患者围手术期血浆ICAM-1和炎性介质的影响.[方法]60例择期行脊柱外科手术患者随机分为对照组（C组,n=30）与自体血液回输组（H组,n=30）,H组采用标准回收模式,应用血液回收机对回收血进行处理,术中回输给患者.当C组血细胞比容（HCT）〈0.25时则输异体红细胞悬液,出血量〉1500 mL时补输新鲜冰冻血浆（输入血浆总量占出血量30%）,必要时输入冷沉淀.分别于入室前30 min（T1）,初次输注自体或异体血后10 min（T2）,手术结束时（T3）,术后24 h （T4）取肘正中静脉采血2 mL,高速离心后于-70℃液氮低温标记储存待检.分别检测4个时间点血液中细胞间粘附分子-1（ICAM-1）以及肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、白介素-1（IL-1）、白介素-8（IL-8）的水平.[结果]与C组比较H组在T3时IL-1、IL-8、ICAM-1浓度明显高于C组（P＜0.05）,术后24 h（T4）,两组上述炎症细胞因子无明显差异（P〉0.05）.[结论]自体血液回收回输能引起血液中炎性因子的激活,但并不导致血管内皮细胞大量受损,激活严重的全身炎症反应综合征造成明显的组织损伤.     

术前急性自体血小板分离对心脏手术患者血小板活化功能的影响

目的探讨术前急性自体血小板分离对心脏手术患者不同阶段血小板活化状态及活化功能的影响。方法40名体外循环心血管外科手术患者,随机分为2组,每组20例。Ⅰ组:急性等容血液稀释(ANH)联合自体富血小板血浆(APRP)回输及术中自体血回收;Ⅱ组:ANH联合术中自体血回收,不进行APRP采集分离。于诱导前(T1)、采血后10min(T2)、自体血回输前10min(T3)、回输后10min(T4)、术后24h(T5)各时点测定Plt、血小板在静息状态及ADP激活后活化指标CD62P、PAC-1的表达量,并测定APRP分离初期和回输前CD62P、PAC-1的表达量,术后出血量及异体输血量。结果T4、T5时点PltⅠ组明显高于Ⅱ组对应时点(P<0.05),术后出血量及异体血输注量Ⅰ组明显减少。APRP分离和保存期间没有进一步激活血小板功能。结论术前急性等容血液稀释联合富血小板血浆回输更有效地保护血液,急性自体血小板分离不会进一步激活血小板。     

自体血回输对多发伤损伤控制性手术患者炎性细胞因子的影响

目的:探讨术中自体血回输对多发伤损伤控制性手术患者肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白介素-6(IL-6)、c-反应蛋白(CRP)的影响。方法:选择我院2015-05-2016-01收治的多发伤损伤控制性手术患者30例,随机分为自体血回输组(IAT组)和异体血输注组(ABT组)2组,于麻醉诱导前、术后第1天、术后第3天用肝素抗凝试管采集空腹静脉血,ELISA方法检测血清中CRP、IL-6和TNF-α的表达水平。结果:2组患者在年龄、性别、术中出血量、术前血红蛋白量、术中输血量及受伤类型等比较差异无统计学意义,2组患者在输血第1天、第3天(T1、T2)TNF-α、IL-6较麻醉诱导前(T0)显著升高(P0.05),CRP到T2时才显著升高(P0.05);IAT组TNF-α、IL-6在T1、T2时显著低于ABT组(P0.05),而2组CRP差异无统计学意义。结论:自体血回输能够降低多发伤损伤控制性手术患者TNF-α、IL-6炎症水平,对输血安全和临床治疗有重要意义。     

两种不同输血方式对颅脑手术患者血液氧合指标及炎性因子的影响

目的探讨自体血液回输与异体输血对颅脑手术患者血液氧合指标及炎性因子的影响。方法选取2016年10月至2017年12月该院进行颅脑手术的患者80例作为研究对象,根据术中输血方式的不同将患者分为自体血液回输组和异体输血组。比较两组患者的血常规指标、凝血功能指标、炎性因子[肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白介素-1β(IL-1β)、白介素-6(IL-6)、白介素-8(IL-8)]、细胞间黏附分子-1(ICAM-1)及血液氧合指标[氧摄取率(ERO_2)、混合静脉血氧饱和度(SvO_2)、动脉血氧分压(PaO_2)]水平,分析炎性因子与血液氧合指标和ICAM-1的相关性,并比较两组患者的不良反应发生率。结果术后1d自体血液回输组红细胞计数、血红蛋白、血小板计数、SvO_2、PaO_2水平高于异体输血组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);自体血液回输组TNF-α、IL-6、IL-8、ICAM-1、ERO_2水平低于异体输血组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。TNF-α、IL-8与PaO_2呈负相关(r=-0.362,-0.358,P0.05),与ICAM-1呈正相关(r=0.453,0.521,P0.05),IL-6与PaO_2呈负相关(r=-0.321,P0.05)。自体血液回输组不良反应发生率明显低于异体输血组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论与异体输血比较,自体血液回输更有效地改善了颅脑手术患者的血常规指标、血液氧合状况,降低了炎性反应程度和不良反应发生率。     

自体血液回输在脊柱外科手术中的应用与护理配合

[目的]探讨自体血液回输在脊柱外科手术中的应用效果与护理配合要点.[方法]2005年1月-2008年5月我院手术室行脊柱外科手术并在术中采用自体血液回输以补充手术失血的病人92例,术前及术中进行以下护理配合工作:术前做好心理护理及交叉配血;术中密切观察病情,避免自体血液回输的不良反应及并发症发生.[结果]全部病人均手术顺利,无不良反应及并发症发生,于术后12 d～15 d康复出院.[结论]脊柱外科手术病人术中采用自体血液回输,只要护理措施配合得当,就能达到迅速补充手术失血、避免自体血液的浪费、有效节约库存血资源、避免不良反应及并发症、促进病人康复的目的,且操作简便易行,值得推广应用.     

急性等容血液稀释在肝脏肿瘤切除术中的应用

肝脏切除术患者常常合并凝血功能异常,术中往往失血较多,因而输入了大量的库存血,极大影响了患者的预后。急性等容血液稀释（ANH）提供了新鲜的自体血液回输,减少了术中、术后的异体血输注,本研究旨在评估肝脏切除术中急性等容血液稀释的安全性及有效性。     

自体血液回输对脊柱手术病人血常规的影响

目的 :探讨脊柱前路手术中自体血液回输对血常规的影响 ,评估其临床应用的安全性。方法 :脊柱前路手术患者 4 5例分为两组 ,Ⅰ组 :自体血液回输组 (n =2 7) ,Ⅱ组 :非自体血液回输组 (n =18)。对两组病人术前、术后第1天、第 7天的血常规进行观测。结果 :两组术后血常规变化规律一致 ;分别比较术前、术后第 1天、第 7天两组间血常规 ,均无显著性差异。组内白细胞 (WBC)计数、中性粒细胞含量 (neut% )在术后有一过性显著增高 (自体血液回输组为P <0 .0 1,异体血输入组为P <0 .0 5 ) ,术后第 7天两组均恢复正常 (P >0 .0 5 )。红细胞 (RBC)计数、血红蛋白含量 (Hgb)、红细胞比积 (Hct)均较术前有显著降低 (P <0 .0 5 )。未发现应用自体血液回输出现并发症。结论 :自体血液回输仅对血小板有破坏、清除 ,对其他血液成分无明显影响。     

库存悬浮红细胞洗涤处理对婴幼儿体外循环后炎症因子水平的影响

目的观察库存悬浮红细胞应用血液回收机洗涤处理后预充对婴幼儿体外循环后炎症因子水平的影响。方法选取室间隔缺损择期手术患儿40名,随机分成对照组A(Group A)实验组B(Group B),A组对CPB预充用库存悬浮红细胞不进行任何处理,B组应用血液回收机对库存悬浮红细胞进行洗涤处理后再预充。分别在体外循环开始前(T1)、体外循环结束时(T2)、术后2 h(T3)、术后12 h(T4)、术后24 h(T5)取动脉血标本行TNF-α、IL-6、IL-8、IL-10和C-反应蛋白(CRP)检测,比较2组之间差异。结果 2组患儿的血TNF-α、IL-6、IL-8、IL-10和CRP在T2、T3、T4均呈持续升高趋势并在T5恢复至略高于术前水平;TNF-α、IL-8在术后整个过程实验组均显著低于对照组(P0.05);IL-6、IL-10在T5实验组和对照组差别无统计学意义(P0.05);CRP T3至T5显著升高无下降趋势且实验组显著低于对照组(P0.05)结论血液回收机洗涤预充用库存悬浮红细胞可降低婴幼儿体外循环后机体炎症因子水平,减轻全身炎症反应,促进患儿术后恢复。     

Acute normovolemic hemodilution is a cost-effective alternative to preoperative autologous blood donation by patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy

BACKGROUND: Preoperative autologous blood donation is accepted as a standard of care for radical prostatectomy. Acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) is an alternative method for obtaining autologous blood. The cost and benefits of these two autologous blood-collection techniques are compared. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Thirty consecutive patients scheduled for radical prostatectomy underwent ANH to a target hematocrit level of 28 percent. Blood was transfused in the perioperative period to maintain the hematocrit level > 25 percent. Hematocrit levels, transfusion outcomes and costs, and postoperative outcomes for these patients (hemodilution group) were compared with a matched patient cohort who preoperatively donated 3 units of blood for autologous use in prostatectomy surgery (nonhemodilution group, n = 30). RESULTS: Thirty patients underwent ANH to a hematocrit level of 28.7 +/− 1.7 percent, and 1740 +/− 346 mL (3.5 +/− 0.7 units) of blood were collected. Three (10%) of the patients in each cohort had allogeneic blood exposure. Transfusion costs were 73 percent higher for the nonhemodilution group patients than for the hemodilution group patients ($330 +/− $100 vs. $191 +/− $55, p < 0.001). No differences were found in postoperative outcomes. CONCLUSION: An integrated blood conservation program utilizing hemodilution and a defined transfusion trigger can decrease the requirement for preoperative donation of blood for autologous use in radical prostatectomy. Point-of-care autologous blood procurement is more cost-effective than preadmission donation of autologous blood units.     

急性等容血液稀释联合控制性低中心静脉压对肝叶切除术患者凝血功能和术中出血量的影响

目的探讨急性等容血液稀释(ANH)联合控制性低中心静脉压(LCVP)对肝叶切除术患者凝血功能和术中出血量的影响。方法 60名择期在全麻下行肝叶切除术患者随机分为对照组(Ⅰ组)、LCVP组(Ⅱ组)和ANH联合LCVP组(Ⅲ组)3组,每组20例。Ⅰ组常规处理不行ANH或LCVP;Ⅱ组开腹后至肝实质离断期间实施LCVP,维持CVP 2～5 cmH2O;Ⅲ组麻醉诱导后行ANH,其他处理同Ⅱ组。观察3组患者不同时点凝血功能指标的变化,记录术中出血量、异体输血量及异体输血例数。结果与Ⅰ组比较,Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组出血量、异体输血量和异体输血例数明显减少(P0.05);与Ⅱ组比较,Ⅲ组异体输血量和异体输血例数明显减少(P0.05)。3组各时点凝血功能指标均在正常范围内。结论 ANH与LCVP联合应用于肝叶切除术,能明显减少术中出血和异体输血,且对凝血功能无明显不利影响。     

Bloodless cardiac surgery and the pediatric patient: a case study

Peri-operative transfusion of blood or blood products is associated with increased morbidity and mortality after cardiac surgery. However, excessive hemodilution as a result of avoiding the use of homologous blood products can also lead to decreased oxygen delivery to vital end organs and dilutional coagulopathy. This is particularly challenging in pediatric cardiac surgery where there is a large discrepancy between the patient circulating blood volume and the priming volume of the cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuit. Strategies to avoid the use of homologous blood products during pediatric cardiac surgery must also incorporate miniaturization of the CPB circuit and other bypass techniques in order to avoid problems with excessive hemodilution. We report a 5.9 kg male infant who underwent successful surgical correction of a ventricular septal defect without the use of homologous blood transfusion. Our strategies included the pre-operative administration of erythropoietin and iron to increase red blood cell mass, acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) before the institution of CPB, retrograde autologous priming (RAP), cell salvage, continuous ultrafiltration, vacuum-assisted venous drainage to minimize the circuit size and priming volume, and the use of near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to monitor the patient during the entire procedure. The utilization of these strategies is now standard for our entire pediatric cardiac surgical population.     

急性非等容量血液稀释在脊柱手术中的应用

目的观察急性非等容量血液稀释（ANIH）在脊柱手术的应用。方法 2012年1月-2013年7月将80例按美国麻醉医师协会分级为Ⅰ~Ⅱ级、行择期脊柱手术的患者分为4组,每组20例：A组为对照组（术中补液包括术前体液丧失量、生理需要量、术中体液丢失量和出血量）,B组为急性高容量血液稀释组,C组为急性等容量血液稀释组,D组为急性非等容量血液稀释组。观察各组患者术中血流动力学变化、动脉血气等。结果 B组、D组平均动脉压较A组、C组稳定;B组、D组在扩容治疗后中心静脉压显著升高（P〈0.05）,红细胞比容显著下降（P〈0.05）;A组、B组术中输异体血,C组、D组术中未输异体血。结论 ANIH在脊柱手术中应用安全,可大大减少出血量,循环更稳定。     

Transfusion of washed and centrifuged shed RBCs during maxillofacial surgery affects cytokine concentrations

BACKGROUND: In patients undergoing elective maxillofacial surgery, hyperthermic reactions have been observed after the transfusion of autologous washed and centrifuged shed blood. It was the aim of this study to correlate the clinical features with changes in cytokine levels. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In 24 consecutive patients, TNFalpha, IL-1, and IL-6 levels were determined in washed and centrifuged shed RBCs (CS RBCs) and in the patient's serum before, as well as 15 and 120 minutes after transfusion. At the same time, blood was drawn for culture. Patients in whom whole blood was saved through the use of acute normovolemic hemodilution served as a control group (n = 6). RESULTS: After the transfusion of CS RBCs, patients had not only elevated cytokine levels but also transient bacteremia involving the pathogens previously detected in CS RBCs. No rise in body temperature occurred. CONCLUSION: In the light of these results, the use of CS RBCs in patients undergoing maxillofacial surgery should be restricted to those patients with no primary bacterial contamination.     

右美托咪定对老年胸科手术患者术后认知功能的影响

目的探究右美托咪定对静脉麻醉下老年患者开胸手术后认知功能障碍的影响。方法选择择期在静脉麻醉下行开胸手术ASA分级Ⅰ~Ⅲ级老年患者80例,随机分为右美托咪定组(D组)及对照组(C组),每组40例。D组:麻醉前15min内静脉缓慢推注1μg/kg右美托咪定,维持浓度为0.5μg/(kg·h);C组以同样方式泵注等体积生理盐水。记录两组患者术前第1天,术后第3、7天简易精神状态检查表(MMSE)评分;检测手术开始前(T0)、手术结束时(T1)、术后第3天(T2)、第7天(T3)静脉血肿瘤坏死因子(TNF-α)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)水平。结果术前两组患者MMSE评分差异无统计学意义(P0.05),术后第3天D组MMSE评分显著高于对照组,且差异具有统计学意义(P0.05),术后第7天,两组评分恢复正常。两组患者血清TNF-α、IL-6水平在T0时,差异无统计学意义(P0.05),C组TNF-α、IL-6在T1、T2与同组T0水平相比升高明显,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05),D组IL-6在T1时与同组T0水平相比有所下降,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);D组T1、T2时的TNF-α和IL-6水平均显著低于C组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论右美托咪定可以降低静脉麻醉下老年患者开胸手术术后血清TNF-α、IL-6水平,及术后认知功能障碍的发生。     

Anesthetic implications for surgical correction of scoliosis

Patients undergoing surgical correction of scoliosis present many challenges to anesthetists because of the pathophysiologic derangements caused by the disease and the demanding nature of the anesthetic care that is required. A thorough understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease, intraoperative concerns specific to the procedure, and the efficacy of various anesthetic management techniques is required by anesthetists to optimally care for patients undergoing surgical correction of scoliosis. This literature review focuses on key considerations for anesthetists, including common comorbidities in patients with scoliosis, the need for induced hypotension, large surgical blood loss, the need for transfusion of blood and blood products, possible autologous blood donation and acute normovolemic hemodilution, patient positioning, possible intraoperative wake-up testing to assess motor function, spinal cord monitoring, and hypothermia.     

Hemodilution and intravenous perflubron emulsion as an alternative to blood transfusion: effects on tissue oxygenation during profound hemodilution in anesthetized dogs

BACKGROUND: Intravenously administered perfluorocarbon (PFC) emulsions increase oxygen solubility in plasma. PFC might therefore temporarily replace red cells (RBCs) lost during intraoperative hemorrhage. In patients who have undergone hemodilution, the return of autologous blood may be delayed by the administration of PFC, and autologous RBCs may be saved for transfusion after surgical bleeding is stopped and PFC is cleared by the reticuloendothelial system. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In 22 anesthetized, hemodiluted dogs (hemoglobin [Hb] 7 g/dL) breathing 100-percent O2, an intraoperative volume-compensated blood loss was simulated. The efficacy of three therapeutic regimens in maintaining tissue oxygenation was compared: 1) RBC group (n = 7): maintenance of a Hb > 7 g per dL by transfusion of autologous RBCs; 2) PFC group (n = 7): bolus application of a second-generation PFC emulsion (60% wt/vol perflubron) and further acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) to a Hb of 3 g per dL; and 3) control group (n = 7): further ANH alone to a Hb of 3 g per dL. Systemic and myocardial oxygenation status and tissue oxygenation were assessed. RESULTS: Autologous RBCs transfused to maintain a Hb of 7 g per dL preserved hemodynamics and tissue oxygenation during blood loss. In the PFC and control groups, heart rate and cardiac index increased significantly in response to further ANH. Tissue oxygenation was not different in the PFC and the RBC groups. Direct comparison of the PFC and control groups revealed better tissue oxygenation in the PFC group, as reflected by significantly higher mixed venous, coronary venous, and local tissue pO2 on liver and skeletal muscle. CONCLUSION: Bolus intravenous administration of 60- percent (wt/vol) perflubron emulsion and further hemodilution from a Hb of 7 g per dL to one of 3 g per dL were as effective as autologous RBC transfusion in maintaining tissue oxygenation during volume-compensated blood loss designed to mimic surgical bleeding.     

腰椎后路融合手术术中自体血回输对患者的影响

目的探讨术中自体血回输对腰椎后路融合术患者术后血红蛋白变化以及住院时间的影响。方法将2002年1月-2005年12月122例行腰椎后路内固定并接受输血的患者分为实验组(66例)和对照组(56例),实验组采用术中自体血回收,对照组使用异体输血。比较2组病例的术中失血量、术后引流量、异体输血量、术后血红蛋白值和影响住院时间的因素,以及输血后并发症发生率。结果实验组患者平均输入异体血170ml,对照组患者平均输入异体血615ml,2组间有显著性差异(P<0.05);2组术后各时间点的血红蛋白值无显著性差异(P>0.05);2组患者住院时间无显著性差异(P>0.05),内固定节段数目与住院时间有显著性差异(P<0.05);实验组1例患者术后出现菌血症,对照组中4例出现输血过敏反应。结论采用自体血回输技术对患者术后血红蛋白变化及住院时间无明显影响,可以防止脊柱融合手术时因输各种异体血引发的并发症发生。     

A randomized trial of perioperative hemodilution versus transfusion of preoperatively deposited autologous blood in elective surgery

Hemodilution, one of several methods proposed to decrease homologous blood transfusion in elective surgery, has not been studied in a prospective controlled trial to determine if it is successful. A prospective, randomized controlled study was conducted to determine if hemodilution can serve as an alternative to preoperative autologous blood donation. Fifty patients were randomized to preoperatively deposit 3 units of autologous blood or to undergo hemodilution immediately before elective radical retropubic prostatectomy. All patients were treated under a standard protocol, including surgery performed by a single surgeon. The preoperative deposit groups received a mean of 2.44 +/− 1.0 units of blood; 2 of 25 patients required homologous blood transfusion for blood loss of 2600 mL and 1700 mL. The hemodilution group received a mean of 2.88 +/− 0.4 units of autologous blood: no hemodilution patient received homologous blood. At discharge, the mean hematocrit for the preoperative deposit group was 35.5 +/− 4.9 (0.35 +/− 0.05), and that for the hemodilution group was 31.8 +/− 4.7 (0.32 +/− 0.05) (p less than 0.001). There were no differences in perioperative morbidity in the treatment groups. The best predictor of discharge hematocrit was the initial hematocrit of the patient. It can be concluded that hemodilution can safely replace or at least augment preoperative autologous donations as a means of decreasing homologous blood transfusion in study patients. These results can be applied to any elective surgery procedure in which a 1000-mL blood loss is anticipated. Other advantages of hemodilution, including convenience, lower cost, and better preservation of all components of autologous blood, suggest that this practice deserves wider application.