Autotransfusion, or autologous blood transfusion, is the process of salvaging and filtering a patient’s blood and returning it to their body. This process was implemented as early as 1818, but without the ability to fully strain contaminants from the blood, it was not always successful or without serious risks until data and innovation enabled more appropriate procedures for its utilization. Today, StatPearls states, “Due to modern advancements in filtration and sterile technique, autotransfusion is widely accepted as a relatively safe procedure.” In fact, autotransfusion is arguably safer and more cost-effective than traditional allogeneic blood transfusions.
The Role of Filtration in Autologous Blood Transfusion
Filtration plays a vital role in safe autologous blood transfusions. Filters are used to reduce or eliminate the levels of potentially harmful microaggregates in the patient’s blood. These include components such as leucocytes, fibrin, and platelets; certain types of cellular debris can cause the formation of emboli, so they need to be strained from the patient’s blood prior to reinfusion.
What gets filtered out is important to the patient’s recovery and whether they develop certain complications. For example, Transfusion Alternatives in Transfusion Medicine says, “An entity called fat embolism syndrome has been described and is associated with orthopedic and cardiac surgery cases in which the potential transfusion of large quantities of fat emboli leads to detrimental consequences, most notably pulmonary damage and potentially acute respiratory distress syndrome.” The good news is, leukocyte reduction filters “have been shown to remove 99% of fat particles.”
Leukocyte reduction filters are also useful in cases of obstetric surgery because they are effective at filtering out amniotic and fetal materials in salvaged blood. According to the Journal of Anesthesia, “Use of leukocyte reduction filters (LRFs) with 10–50 μm pore size during salvage of autologous blood in cesarean sections appears to be able to eliminate amniotic and fetal particulate substances such as fetal squamous cells, and thereby prevent .”
Cancer Is Not a Barrier for Autotransfusion
Autotransfusion is even safe for cancer patients because of blood washing and filtration. Historically, clinicians had been concerned that malignant cancer cells may be reinfused into patients receiving autologous blood transfusion; research shows that this is not the case, and malignant cells can be filtered out during the autotransfusion process.
In one study, The Annals of Surgical Oncology tested 20 hepatectomy and pancreatectomy patients for the presence of malignant cells after they received blood filtered through autotransfusion. They found no evidence of the reinfusion of cancer cells, stating, “Flow cytometry did not demonstrate the presence of any cytokeratin-positive carcinoma cells in filtered blood.”
Trust SpecialtyCare for Autotransfusion Support
Because of its safe and cost-effective utilization, autotransfusion is becoming a more popular choice at hospitals and ambulatory service centers. The market for autotransfusion devices is poised to jump by 52% in the next ten years — up to roughly $447 million dollars by 2032. As obstetric clinics, surgery centers, and emergency departments begin using autotransfusion more, trained autotransfusion professionals will continue to be needed to help administer cell-saving technology.
At SpecialtyCare, we can place professionals at your hospital who are highly trained in the mechanics and techniques of autotransfusion. We follow all AABB standards for perioperative autologous blood collection and administration. Our team is equipped to prevent air embolisms and ensure proper filtration, reducing the risk of reinfusion of harmful microaggregates. Even after cell washing, final filtration is performed, with various filters applied based on the specific autotransfusion context. If you’re seeking professionals to bolster your use of autotransfusion, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We would love to speak with you!
