What Is Autologous Blood Donation?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes of Autologous Blood DonationsWhen This Might Be DonePros and ConsRisks and ComplicationsWhat to Expect

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Types of Autologous Blood Donations

When This Might Be Done

Pros and Cons

Risks and Complications

What to Expect

Anautologousblood donation is when you have your blood drawn or collected before or during a scheduledsurgeryso that it can be returned back to you when you need it. When that happens, it is called an autologousblood transfusion.

Autologous blood donations are often recommended because they reduce the risk of you acquiring a bloodborne infection from someone else’s donated blood and ensure that an ample supply of blood will be available for you if blood resources are scarce.

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This article explains the types of autologous blood donations, when one may be recommended, the risks and benefits, and what to expect.

What to Know About Blood Transfusions

There are four types of autologous blood donation/transfusion procedures:

Discover the Surprising Health Benefits of Donating Blood

Your doctor may recommend autologous blood donation/transfusion based on the type of surgery you are undergoing.

Other times, people concerned aboutblood transfusion risksmay opt for this.

Recommended Use

Your surgeon may recommend an autologous blood donation ahead of time if there is a possibility that you will need a blood transfusion during or after surgery. Cell salvage transfusions can also be done in an emergency.

Autologous blood transfusions are generally considered when your doctor anticipates that you may lose 20% or more of your blood during surgery. In addition to major cancer surgeries, like the removal of part of the lung, autologous blood transfusions are often needed for major joint replacement surgeries,vascular surgeries, orcardiothoracic surgeries.

Sometimes as much as 10 units ofpacked red blood cellsare needed—an amount equivalent to a person’s entire blood volume.This is considered a massive transfusion when it occurs in a 24-hour period.

An autologous donation may also be suggested to relieve pressure on the community’s blood supply. These donations can be used along with allogeneic donations (those from other people).

Most people can generally avoid preoperative autologous donations if less than 10% of blood is expected to be lost during surgery.

Elective Use

Autologous blood transfusions can reduce the risk of anallergicorautoimmune responsethat can occur on rare occasions with allogeneic transfusions. This includes hemolytic transfusion reactions in which the immune system attacks and destroys donated blood cells.

Your surgeon may bring up this possibility if your health history warrants it. The choice to proceed with an autologous donation/transfusion, however, is ultimately a personal one.

InsuranceIf your insurance company does not consider an autologous blood transfusion necessary, they maydeny your claim. Before you schedule a donation, consider the cost of an autologous transfusion and confirm that your insurance will cover the procedure.

Insurance

If your insurance company does not consider an autologous blood transfusion necessary, they maydeny your claim. Before you schedule a donation, consider the cost of an autologous transfusion and confirm that your insurance will cover the procedure.

You can also request an autologous transfusion if you are worried about bloodborne infections likehepatitis CorHIV. However, strict blood screening protocols in the United States have made elective donations/transfusions for this purpose unnecessary and extremely rare.

If you’re still concerned, donating and receiving your own blood can put your mind at ease.

How Much Blood Is in the Human Body and How Much Can Be Lost?

Advantages and Disadvantages

There are both real and perceived benefits of an autologous blood donation and transfusion, but there are also risks.

AdvantagesReduced risk of bloodborne infectionsReduced risk of allergic or hemolytic transfusion reactionSafer in people with rarerblood types(A-, B-, B+, AB-, AB+, O-)Safer in people withmultiple autoimmune disordersReduces the demand on the community blood supplyMay be acceptable to Jehovah’s Witnesses and people of other religious orders with rules around blood donationDisadvantagesMore costly than getting blood donated from someone elseInconvenience of time to donateUnused blood can’t be donated to someone else, so it’s discardedRisk of anemia (lack of healthy red blood cells) and heart complications following donationRisk of bacterial infection if the blood is stored improperlyPossible increased need for a transfusion after donation due to the depletion of blood from the body

AdvantagesReduced risk of bloodborne infectionsReduced risk of allergic or hemolytic transfusion reactionSafer in people with rarerblood types(A-, B-, B+, AB-, AB+, O-)Safer in people withmultiple autoimmune disordersReduces the demand on the community blood supplyMay be acceptable to Jehovah’s Witnesses and people of other religious orders with rules around blood donation

Reduced risk of bloodborne infections

Reduced risk of allergic or hemolytic transfusion reaction

Safer in people with rarerblood types(A-, B-, B+, AB-, AB+, O-)

Safer in people withmultiple autoimmune disorders

Reduces the demand on the community blood supply

May be acceptable to Jehovah’s Witnesses and people of other religious orders with rules around blood donation

DisadvantagesMore costly than getting blood donated from someone elseInconvenience of time to donateUnused blood can’t be donated to someone else, so it’s discardedRisk of anemia (lack of healthy red blood cells) and heart complications following donationRisk of bacterial infection if the blood is stored improperlyPossible increased need for a transfusion after donation due to the depletion of blood from the body

More costly than getting blood donated from someone else

Inconvenience of time to donate

Unused blood can’t be donated to someone else, so it’s discarded

Risk of anemia (lack of healthy red blood cells) and heart complications following donation

Risk of bacterial infection if the blood is stored improperly

Possible increased need for a transfusion after donation due to the depletion of blood from the body

What Is the Universal Blood Type?

There are some potentially serious complications associated with the different types of autologous blood donations/transfusions.

Donations Before Surgery

The risk of a preoperative autologous donation is no different than that of any other blood donation.

With that said, some medical conditions take the option of autologous blood donation off the table due to the risk of anemia.

Preoperative autologous donations are also not used in people with current heart disease and other conditions for which the donation may pose other risks. These include:

Preoperative autologous donations from pregnant people are also not recommended unless the benefits outweigh the risks. For example, they may be warranted if a person has a condition that puts them at risk of heavy bleeding after birth.

Cell Salvage

With intraoperative or postoperative cell salvage, the retrieved blood can undergo significant changes when washed in preparation for the reinfusion.

This process can disturb thebalance of electrolytes(chemical substances that conduct electricity) andreduce platelets(blood cells that control clotting).

These, combined with releasedhemoglobin(a protein in red blood cells), can trigger a serious condition called salvaged blood syndrome, in which clots form abnormally in blood vessels.

Salvaged blood syndrome can lead to severe lung injury andacute renal failurewhen the lungs or kidneys are involved.

Acute Normovolemic Hemodilution

Withacute normovolemic hemodilution, the sudden reduction in the volume of red blood cells (hematocrit) may lead to circulatory shock.

This is when reduced blood flow damages body tissues. It can even cause a heart attack in people with underlying heart disease.

If you elect to undergo an autologous blood transfusion, a clinician will generally draw your blood ahead of your surgery.

There are no age or weight limits to an autologous transfusion. However, you should weigh the benefits and risks carefully before proceeding.

Screening

Not everyone is a good candidate for autologous blood donation, so your healthcare provider will help you determine if it is right for you. Some things they will consider include:

The Process

The process of autologous donation is no different than regular blood donation, except your healthcare provider may prescribe an iron supplement prior to your donation to boost the production of red blood cells.

Upon arrival, a brief medical history is taken. In addition:

Determining Donation Amount

Your surgeon determines the amount of blood you should donate based on your weight. The maximum donation is calculated at 10 milliliters per kilograms of body weight (mL/kg).

So, for example, a person who weighs 110 pounds (50 kg) can donate up to 500 milliliters (0.5 liters) per session.

Frequency

You can donate more than once a week, but the last donation should be made no less than 72 hours before your surgery. This allows time for your blood volume to return to normal.

Blood can be refrigerated for no more than 42 days. After that time period, the blood bank will dispose of it. Blood banks can freeze blood, but it is not advised for autologous donations because freezing can damage blood cells and alter the composition of the blood.

How Often Can You Donate Blood?

Summary

Autologous blood donation may be done preoperatively so that you can receive your own blood if you require a transfusion during surgery. You may also do it electively if you want to avoid certain risks of blood transfusions, like bloodborne infections, allergies, or an autoimmune response.

Blood donations are generally considered safe. However, people with certain medical conditions are not good candidates for autologous blood donation. These include people with certain heart conditions and seizure disorders. Discuss the risks and benefits of an autologous blood transfusion with your surgeon.

10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Zhou J.A review of the application of autologous blood transfusion.Braz J Med Biol Res. 2016;49(9):e5493. doi:10.1590/1414-431X20165493Patil V, Shetmahajan M.Massive transfusion and massive transfusion protocol.Indian J Anaesth. 2014;58(5):590. doi: 10.4103/0019-5049.144662Cata JP, Gottumukkala V.Blood loss and massive transfusion in patients undergoing major oncological surgery: What do we know?.Int Scholarly Res Notices.2012; 2012:918938. doi:10.5402/2012/918938Jano A, Sula H, Domi R.Considerations on autologous blood transfusion.J Anesth Crit Care Open Access.12016;6(2):00225. doi:10.15406/jaccoa.2016.06.00225Panch SR, Montemayor-Garcia C, Klein HG.Hemolytic transfusion reactions.N Engl J Med. 2019;381(2):150-62. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1802338Dean CL, Wade J, Roback JD.Transfusion-transmitted infections: An update on product screening, diagnostic techniques, and the path ahead.J Clin Microbiol. 2018;56(7):00352-18. doi:10.1128/JCM.00352-18Ćatić D, Milojković A, Steblovnik L.Preoperative autologous blood donation in placenta previa patients.Transfus Apher Sci. 2018;57(6):793-6. doi:10.1016/j.transci.2018.11.003Rai S, Verma S, Yadav PK, Ahmad J, Yadav HK.Utility of acute normovolemic hemodilution in major surgeries in rural area: A prospective comparative study from North India.Anesth Essays Res.2017;11(4):909-12. doi:10.4103/aer.AER_86_17American Red Cross.Autologous and directed blood donation.Roback JD.Perspectives on the impact of storage duration on blood quality and transfusion outcomes.Vox Sang. 2016;111(4):357-64. doi:10.1111/vox.12441

10 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Zhou J.A review of the application of autologous blood transfusion.Braz J Med Biol Res. 2016;49(9):e5493. doi:10.1590/1414-431X20165493Patil V, Shetmahajan M.Massive transfusion and massive transfusion protocol.Indian J Anaesth. 2014;58(5):590. doi: 10.4103/0019-5049.144662Cata JP, Gottumukkala V.Blood loss and massive transfusion in patients undergoing major oncological surgery: What do we know?.Int Scholarly Res Notices.2012; 2012:918938. doi:10.5402/2012/918938Jano A, Sula H, Domi R.Considerations on autologous blood transfusion.J Anesth Crit Care Open Access.12016;6(2):00225. doi:10.15406/jaccoa.2016.06.00225Panch SR, Montemayor-Garcia C, Klein HG.Hemolytic transfusion reactions.N Engl J Med. 2019;381(2):150-62. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1802338Dean CL, Wade J, Roback JD.Transfusion-transmitted infections: An update on product screening, diagnostic techniques, and the path ahead.J Clin Microbiol. 2018;56(7):00352-18. doi:10.1128/JCM.00352-18Ćatić D, Milojković A, Steblovnik L.Preoperative autologous blood donation in placenta previa patients.Transfus Apher Sci. 2018;57(6):793-6. doi:10.1016/j.transci.2018.11.003Rai S, Verma S, Yadav PK, Ahmad J, Yadav HK.Utility of acute normovolemic hemodilution in major surgeries in rural area: A prospective comparative study from North India.Anesth Essays Res.2017;11(4):909-12. doi:10.4103/aer.AER_86_17American Red Cross.Autologous and directed blood donation.Roback JD.Perspectives on the impact of storage duration on blood quality and transfusion outcomes.Vox Sang. 2016;111(4):357-64. doi:10.1111/vox.12441

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Zhou J.A review of the application of autologous blood transfusion.Braz J Med Biol Res. 2016;49(9):e5493. doi:10.1590/1414-431X20165493Patil V, Shetmahajan M.Massive transfusion and massive transfusion protocol.Indian J Anaesth. 2014;58(5):590. doi: 10.4103/0019-5049.144662Cata JP, Gottumukkala V.Blood loss and massive transfusion in patients undergoing major oncological surgery: What do we know?.Int Scholarly Res Notices.2012; 2012:918938. doi:10.5402/2012/918938Jano A, Sula H, Domi R.Considerations on autologous blood transfusion.J Anesth Crit Care Open Access.12016;6(2):00225. doi:10.15406/jaccoa.2016.06.00225Panch SR, Montemayor-Garcia C, Klein HG.Hemolytic transfusion reactions.N Engl J Med. 2019;381(2):150-62. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1802338Dean CL, Wade J, Roback JD.Transfusion-transmitted infections: An update on product screening, diagnostic techniques, and the path ahead.J Clin Microbiol. 2018;56(7):00352-18. doi:10.1128/JCM.00352-18Ćatić D, Milojković A, Steblovnik L.Preoperative autologous blood donation in placenta previa patients.Transfus Apher Sci. 2018;57(6):793-6. doi:10.1016/j.transci.2018.11.003Rai S, Verma S, Yadav PK, Ahmad J, Yadav HK.Utility of acute normovolemic hemodilution in major surgeries in rural area: A prospective comparative study from North India.Anesth Essays Res.2017;11(4):909-12. doi:10.4103/aer.AER_86_17American Red Cross.Autologous and directed blood donation.Roback JD.Perspectives on the impact of storage duration on blood quality and transfusion outcomes.Vox Sang. 2016;111(4):357-64. doi:10.1111/vox.12441

Zhou J.A review of the application of autologous blood transfusion.Braz J Med Biol Res. 2016;49(9):e5493. doi:10.1590/1414-431X20165493

Patil V, Shetmahajan M.Massive transfusion and massive transfusion protocol.Indian J Anaesth. 2014;58(5):590. doi: 10.4103/0019-5049.144662

Cata JP, Gottumukkala V.Blood loss and massive transfusion in patients undergoing major oncological surgery: What do we know?.Int Scholarly Res Notices.2012; 2012:918938. doi:10.5402/2012/918938

Jano A, Sula H, Domi R.Considerations on autologous blood transfusion.J Anesth Crit Care Open Access.12016;6(2):00225. doi:10.15406/jaccoa.2016.06.00225

Panch SR, Montemayor-Garcia C, Klein HG.Hemolytic transfusion reactions.N Engl J Med. 2019;381(2):150-62. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1802338

Dean CL, Wade J, Roback JD.Transfusion-transmitted infections: An update on product screening, diagnostic techniques, and the path ahead.J Clin Microbiol. 2018;56(7):00352-18. doi:10.1128/JCM.00352-18

Ćatić D, Milojković A, Steblovnik L.Preoperative autologous blood donation in placenta previa patients.Transfus Apher Sci. 2018;57(6):793-6. doi:10.1016/j.transci.2018.11.003

Rai S, Verma S, Yadav PK, Ahmad J, Yadav HK.Utility of acute normovolemic hemodilution in major surgeries in rural area: A prospective comparative study from North India.Anesth Essays Res.2017;11(4):909-12. doi:10.4103/aer.AER_86_17

American Red Cross.Autologous and directed blood donation.

Roback JD.Perspectives on the impact of storage duration on blood quality and transfusion outcomes.Vox Sang. 2016;111(4):357-64. doi:10.1111/vox.12441

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