Transfusion of intra‐operative autologous whole blood: Influence on complement activation and interleukin formation

Abstract

Inflammatory mediators and plasma haemoglobin were increased in intra-operatively salvaged and filtered blood compared to circulatory levels. Intra-operative retransfusion of autologous whole blood caused a transient systemic increase that normalized in the early postoperative period. There were no significant adverse events reported in the study. These data suggest that the Sangvia(®) system can be used for intra-operative collection and retransfusion of salvaged blood.