Autologous Blood TherapY

Autologous Blood Therapy (ABT) may be defined as any procedure in which a patient’s own (autologous) blood is collected and processed (includes: separation and/or sequestration, and/or washing), at point-of-care, with the intent of one or more of the components to be given/ applied back to the patient. Such procedures (Autotransfusion, PRP Sequestration, Stem Cell Processing) may be performed in the operating room or other designated areas, which may include out-patient service areas.

Platelet Gel

Point-of-care platelet sequestration is the technique that is utilized to produce concentrated platelet rich plasma (PRP). PRP is the source of Platelet Gel. While concentrated platelets are the main ingredient of Platelet Gel, the other ingredients are concentrated white blood cells and plasma. When this mixture of blood components is activated with thrombin, several things happen. First, the platelets change their shape and become sticky (degranulate). Next, a concentration of growth factors and vasoconstrictors are released from the platelets. The concentrated white blood cells immediately begin to fight any infection and the plasma forms into a membrane sealant. This sealing action helps to close the wound surface and stop bleeding. Additional action of the sealant is to stop or further diminish swelling and bruising that has not been fully controlled by the vasoconstrictors released from the platelets.

As accelerated healing has begun almost at the time of injury, the entire healing process is greatly enhanced. The normal sequence of wound healing is not changed (inflammation, proliferation, maturation). However, the process is accomplished much more quickly. In some patients, observation of the wound reveals Platelet Gel healing at 36 hours to be equal to normal healing at almost one week.

So, how does this happen?

Whole anticoagulated (keeps blood from clotting) blood is collected sterilely from the patient. The amount of blood drawn is dependent on the amount of Platelet Gel that is needed. The ratio of whole blood to Platelet Gel is about 6:1. Hence, 60 ml of whole blood will usually yield about 10 ml of Platelet Gel, depending on the concentration of platelets that is desired.

The blood is processed by utilizing a special FDA approved centrifuge. The process separates the blood into three basic components: Red Blood Cell (RBC), Plasma (PPP), and Platelets/White Blood Cells (PRP). The RBC and a portion of the PPP are discarded and the concentrated PRP is then placed into a special two syringes assembly. The other syringe contains the activator (thrombin and calcium chloride). Upon discharge from the syringes by the physician, onto the wound surface, the PRP and activator mix and the resulting component becomes Platelet Gel.

Autotransfusion

Autotransfusion is the process by which blood that is shed from a surgical site is collected in a non clotting state. The blood is then processed with a centrifuge system that discards the impurities and almost all of the blood components. Only the Red Blood Cells (RBC) are retained. The RBC are washed and filtered and returned to the patient.

Autotransfusion allows the patient the opportunity to utilize their own shed blood again and hence, diminish or eliminate the need of homologous (someone else’s blood) blood bank blood.