Blood Salvage and Bloodless Open-heart Surgery: At the time of cardio pulmonary bypass, cardiomony suckers suck blood from the chambers or the heart and pericardium back into the reservoir. In operations like repair of aneurysm of aorta, equipment called cell saves can be used. This sucks all the spilled blood, washes, centrifuges and packs into red cell concentrate ready to be administered to the patient.
Blood transfusion not without harm: ( I ) It may lend to transfer of infections like HIV. Hepatitis B or C, cytomegalovirus, malaria etc., (2) Febrile reaction, (3) Incompatibility, and (4) Limited supply. Conservation of blood could be achieved by autologus blood donation. In a Sit patient, blood could be collected pre-operatively, up to ten days before surgery. Intra operatively one or two units its I can be collected, just before bypass. With these methods, it is now possible to do bloodless open-heart surgery.