Obstetric hemorrhage is the most common cause of maternal mortality in the world. Our knowledge of hemorrhagic shock pathophysiology and management has significantly improved during the last decades. Blood transfusion has emerged as a strategy with great impact on patients’ survival. Consequently, it is crucial to have a protocol of massive blood transfusion available for cases of massive obstetric hemorrhage.

Introduction: Autologous blood transfusion, also known as autotransfusion, allows a patient to receive their own previously collected and stored blood, reducing the risks associated with homologous transfusion. Objective: To analyze and describe the modalities of autologous transfusion, its benefits, indications, limitations, and risks in different clinical scenarios. Methods: A narrative review of studies published between 2015 and 2025 was conducted using biomedical databases such as PubMed, Cochrane, and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). A total of 43 references were included, encompassing systematic reviews, clinical trials, and observational studies. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed, and information was synthesized according to each autologous transfusion modality: preoperative blood deposit, acute normovolemic hemodilution, and intraoperative bloo...

Introducción: La transfusión sanguínea autóloga, también denominada autotransfusión, permite que un paciente reciba su propia sangre previamente extraída y conservada, reduciendo riesgos asociados a la transfusión homóloga. Objetivo: Analizar y describir las modalidades de transfusión autóloga, sus beneficios, indicaciones, limitaciones y riesgos en distintos escenarios clínicos. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión narrativa de estudios publicados entre 2015 y 2025 en bases de datos biomédicas como PubMed, Cochrane y la Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS). Se incluyeron 43 referencias, abarcando revisiones sistemáticas, ensayos clínicos y estudios observacionales. Se evaluó la calidad metodológica de los estudios y se sintetizó la información en función de cada modalidad de transfusión autóloga: depósito prequirúrgico, hemodilución normovolémica aguda...

Accurate knowledge of the total blood loss during surgery, helps to get maximum benefit from transfusions. Blood should be given to the volume and rate of loss. The maintenance of circulating volume of red blood cells in the normal range, should consider it as an elementary fact in surgery patients with poor surgical risk, particularly in heart, arteriosclerotic and those elderly who can not tolerate either an overload or a decrease in circulating volume. The methods used to measure blood loss during surgery are discussed. The authors apply the gravimetric method and recommend it as a routine procedure during surgery. A personal estimates of total blood lost during surgery is worthless. When it comes to control massive bleeding from several liters, the error can be so large that a lack of action may endanger the patient's life. The total blood loss during the operation obtained by the me...