Elimination of 'Undesired components' by automated autotransfusion

Background. Usefulness and efficacy of automated autotransfusion in the pro cess of recovering autologous, washed erythrocytes are well documented. The primary advantage compared to direct autotransfusion systems results from a more or less effective elimination of undesired components of wound and d rainage blood. Material and Methods: The autotransfusion device Sequestra 1 000 (TM) (Medtronic) was investigated. Assessed were haemoglobin (Hb), haem atocrit (Hct), thrombocytes (PLT), free Hb (f-Hb), beta -thromboglobulin (b eta -TG), elastase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), thrombin-antithrombin-ill complex (TAT), plasmin-antiplasmin complex (PAP), fibrin degradation produc ts (FDP) and the complement C-3 in wound blood as well as in the autologous erythrocyte concentrate. Results: The wound blood showed, in comparison to normal as well as, low levels of Hb (6.2 mmol/l), Hct (0.28) and PLT (91 G /l), whereas indicators of cell decomposition (f-Hb:778 mu mol/l, beta -TG: > 429 IU/ml and LDH: 98 mu mol/l s(-1)) were increased. There was an incre ased concentration of Hb in the washed autologous erythrocyte concentrate, and undesired components were decreased. Conclusion: With automated autotra nsfusion, the plasmatic factors can be separated and removed. The quality o f an automated system is demonstrated by the elimination rates of the purif ication process. The elimination rates showed a removal of undesired wound blood components greater than 80%.