Philippine Journal of Surgical Specialties 1999;11(2):52-55

Autologous normovolemic hemodilution: An acceptable alternative blood transfusion technique in a Jehovahs Witness patient for thoracotomy

Ortillo Jojie Marie F.

Country

Philippines

Language

English

Abstract

A case of a Jehovah's Witness patient was presented who underwent thoracotomy and decortication of the right lung with great potential for blood loss but refused homologous blood transfusion. Acute Normovolemic Hemodilution is the only autologous transfusion technique that is acceptable to the patient satisfying the objections of a archetypal Jehovah's Witness belief regarding blood transfusion. The wide margin of safety with regards to conservation of red blood cells in ANH was seen in this case thus, providing its efficiency and acceptability.