What is the ideal solution for washing salvaged red blood cells using a cell saver for autotransfusion during surgery

There are three reasons why perfusionists and autotransfusionists around the globe still use Normal Saline with cell savers; (1) This what they were taught by their peers and/or didactic educators for decades. (2) This is what cell saver manufacturers have been stating in their Instructions For Use (IFU) for over 5 decades. (3) It is the general assumption that any solution other than what is stated in the IFU, may designate an off-label use of that device. But is the use of Normal Saline for washing salvaged blood physiologically the best solution for this autotransfusion process or is it just the way it has always been done and should not be questioned?

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Publication Details

Journal
Perfusion
Published
2025-12-24
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/02676591251413495
Primary Topic
Blood transfusion and management
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

What is the ideal solution for washing salvaged red blood cells using a cell saver for autotransfusion during surgery

Gerard J. Myers
Perfusion
Blood transfusion and management
article

What is the ideal solution for washing salvaged red blood cells using a cell saver for autotransfusion during surgery

Gerard J. Myers
article en

Abstract

There are three reasons why perfusionists and autotransfusionists around the globe still use Normal Saline with cell savers; (1) This what they were taught by their peers and/or didactic educators for decades. (2) This is what cell saver manufacturers have been stating in their Instructions For Use (IFU) for over 5 decades. (3) It is the general assumption that any solution other than what is stated in the IFU, may designate an off-label use of that device. But is the use of Normal Saline for washing salvaged blood physiologically the best solution for this autotransfusion process or is it just the way it has always been done and should not be questioned?

Perfusion
Continental (Canada) (CA)
Openalex Percentile: Top 43%
Blood transfusion and management
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