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This process ensures that the blood that is lost during an operation is diluted, having fewer red blood cells in it |
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The blood is therefore thinner, reducing the load on the heart and allowing blood to flow more easily through the capillaries |
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The patient's own blood, returned after the operation, is fresh, containing all its platelets and clotting factors |
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It has been reported that haemoglobin levels can safely go down by 10 to 30 g/l in major heart, cancer and spinal surgery, using this method of haemodilution. Every patient has a different limit, determined by pre-operative planning.
Haemodilution is just one part of an overall bloodless surgery plan. |
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LEARNING GUIDE
To pass the test on 4.3, Acute Normovolemic Haemodilution (ANH), make sure you know the 2 main stages of ANH and can list the benefits to a patient. |
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