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Frequently Asked Questions

For the Public 1. What is an autologous transfusion? Autologous transfusions are those in which patients receive their own blood. Several types of autologous donations-transfusions exist:   Predeposit donation in which patients with a high likelihood of requiring transfusion donate their own blood for later transfusion during surgery

	Perioperative normovolemic hemodilution (withdrawal of blood immediately before surgery, with volume replacement by crystalloid solutions and subsequent re-infusion of removed blood). Also see Bennett J, Haynes S, Torella F, Grainger H, McCollum C. Acute normovolemic hemodilution in moderate blood loss surgery: a randomized controlled trial. Transfusion 2006 Jul;46(7):1097-103.
	Intraoperative blood salvage
	Postoperative blood salvage

2. How does autologous blood salvage work during surgery?

Blood salvage is used in surgeries for patients without cancer in which a large amount of blood loss is anticipated. The patient's own blood is collected, the blood may be washed or manipulated according to the particular procedure used, and returned to the patient. The Hemobag^® is a type of autologous  blood salvage that has the advantage of returning concentrated whole blood with platelets, clotting factors and plasma proteins still present.

3. If I require blood, what options do I have?

For information about options for patients requiring blood, see

• A Patient’s Guide to Blood Transfusion (California Department of Health Services, June 2006)

4. Can the The Hemobag^® be used with Jehovah Witness patients?

Yes.  Please see these papers:

• Moskowitz, DM, Klein JJ, Shander A, Perelman SI, McMurtry KA, Cousineau KM, Ergin MA. Use of the Hemobag^® for modified ultrafiltration in a Jehovah’s Witness patient undergoing cardiac surgery. JECT 2006;38:265–70.

• Blood conservation and cardiac surgery with the novel use of the Hemobag® device in two Jehovah's Witness patients

Ask your Surgeon, Anesthesiologist or Perfusionist for details & use
of the Hemobag^® during open heart surgery