Preoperative autologous blood donation in adult bone marrow donors: reappraisal of a single-centre experience

To avoid risk for allogeneic transfusions in healthy bone marrow (BM) donors, 1–2 preoperative autologous blood donations (PAD) are usually collected before the BM harvest. We analysed the haematological parameters in BM donors before and after the harvest, to assess the efficacy of this practice in limiting the postharvest anaemia. Overall, 102 consecutive donors underwent BM harvest preceded by one (26 cases) or two PAD (76 cases), which were infused during BM collection. We analysed the parameters related to donors, PAD timing and BM graft characteristics. PAD induced a significant decrease in Hb (from 14·6 g/dl, IQ range 13·3–15·5 to12·9 g/dl, IQ range 11·8–13·9; P < 0·0001) in all donors, with a median Hb loss at day −1 of 10·9% (IQ range 6·8–14·2). The PAD-related Hb decrease was independent of sex or number of PAD, and was inversely related to the time elapsed from first or last PAD. In comparison with values recorded at day-1, BM harvest produced an additional Hb decrease, accounting for a median Hb loss of 18·9% (IQ range 14·9–24·4). Overall, in comparison with pre-PAD values, Hb levels at day +1 were reduced of 28·9% (IQ range 23·6–32·2), independently if donors had 1 or 2 PAD reinfused. In conclusion, these data show that two PAD do not carry any advantage over one PAD. An eventual benefit of PAD can be achieved only if an adequate interval between PAD and BM harvest elapses. Prospective randomized studies could be worth to establish if any role for PAD does exist in BM donors.