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...

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...