A review of nearly two decades in an autologous blood programme: the rise and fall of activity

summary Autologous blood donation (ABD) has been widely recommended. Data from one of the oldest hospital‐based programmes in Canada describe both activities and drawbacks. Data were compared over the nearly two decades of activity that peaked in 1996. A 5‐year review of recent activity showed that of the 2410 patients referred for consideration, 1823 (75·64%) were accepted into the programme. Surgical services requested 5825 units of autologous blood. Of these, 3147 units were donated by 1536 patients, 803 units were transfused in the operating room and 558 units were given postoperatively. In total, only 1361 units (43·25%) were transfused. The mean age of the patients was 58 years (median 61 years and mode 69 years). The haemoglobin concentrations before donation were significantly higher, averaging 145·2 g L−1 before donation and 114·9 g L−1 immediately before surgery, whereas at the time of discharge, the haemoglobin concentration averaged 126·2 g L−1 (P = 0·0001) in transfused patients. Data from this well‐established ABD programme indicate less than 50% overall utilization. The activity in the programme increased until 1996 following which it dropped progressively. The low haemoglobin concentration after surgery is of concern and should foster a transfusion algorithm for these patients.