Autotransfusion during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

To reduce allogeneic blood transfusion requirements during extracorporeal m embrane oxygenation (ECMO) we evaluated an autotransfusion device which pro cesses and retransfuses erythrocytes of changed ECMO-systems. We studied 10 elective changes of ECMO-systems in 7 patients. Hemoglobin levels. the amo unt of retransfused autologous blood and of transfused allogeneic packed re d blood cell units were documented within 48 h after the system change and compared to the measurements obtained from former ECMO-system changes witho ut using any autotransfusion device. We determined the Horrowitz-index, Int erleukin 6, 10, TNF-alpha and endothelial concentrations and coagulation pa rameters during the 48 hours after system change to study the compatibility of this procedure. Allogeneic blood transfusion was reduced from 7 to 2 un its of packed red cells using the autotransfusion device. Additionally, no hints of any harmful side effects in these patients was observed.