Table 3 Advantages and disadvantages of autologous blood donation
Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
Prevents transfusion-transmitted disease | Risk of bacterial contamination or volume overload remains |
Prevents red cell alloimmunization | Does not eliminate risk of administrative error with ABO incompatibility |
Supplements the blood supply | More costly than allogeneic blood |
Provides compatible blood for patients with alloantibodies | Wastage of blood not transfused |
Prevents some adverse transfusion reactions | Causes perioperative anemia and increased likelihood of transfusion |