autologous blood donation (transfusion)

Indications

• elective surgery

Contraindications

• significant anemia
• recent myocardial infarction
• severe aortic stenosis
• hypertension
• bacterial infection

Procedure

• patients can generally donate 1 unit/week beginning 1 month prior to surgery
• oral iron therapy should be prescribed during this period
• erythropoietin improves ability of some patients to participate

More general terms

• blood donation