Use of acute normovolemic hemodilution in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy.

This prospective study from Japan confirms the feasability, safety and efficacy of acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) in radical prostatectomy. ANH allows saving of allogeneic
blood trasfusion when preoperative hematocrit is above 42%, interaoperative hematocrit
is adjusted to approximately 26%, and blood loss amounts to approximately 1500 mL. ANH
was performed with hydroxyethyl starch and subsequent volume replacement with Ringer’s solution. Due to the advantages (lower costs,
lower risk and simplicity), the authors conclude that ANH can replace conventional preoperative autologous blood donation for use during radical prostatectomy.

– Konrad Messmer