BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to record practices in autologous blood transfusion in Europe in 1997.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire mainly about predeposit was distributed to the National Representatives of all 41 member states of the Council of Europe's Committee of Experts on Blood Transfusion and Haematology. Replies were received from 29.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Autologous blood units collected in 1997 amounted to 4.2% of the allogeneic units, with wide variations between countries. Predeposit was used most frequently in Italy (8.9%), Germany (7.1%) and France (6.6%). Some countries, notably Scandinavia, do not encourage predeposit, chiefly on the grounds that it is not cost-effective, but others are promoting its use.
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