Autologous blood donation by patients who have undergone solid organ transplantation

Autologous blood donation before elective surgery is generally believed to be a safe procedure for patients with a variety of underlying medical conditions, but the accumulation of additional data continues to define its safety in unique patient groups. Patients who have received a solid organ transplant may also undergo various elective surgical procedures after transplantation, and the question of safety of autologous blood donation for these patients is raised. In one hospital-based blood collection program, we identified 4 patients who had received solid organ transplants and subsequently made autologous blood donations for elective operations unrelated to the transplantation. Two patients had received heart transplants and 2 received liver transplants. A total of 10 autologous donations were made by these 4 patients without adverse effects or complications. A low hemoglobin concentration was the only reason for temporary deferral from autologous donation. Despite having complicated clinical situations, recipients of solid organ transplants can safely donate autologous blood and should not be automatically excluded from making such donations.