Heparin removal in an autotransfusor device

Abstract

To determine the residual heparin in the supernatant fluid recovered from human blood washed with increasing amounts of solution in the Haemonetics Cell Saver, various modifications of Grann''s polybrene neutralization test applied. Each 450-500 ml of recovered heparinized blood should be washed with a minimum of 500 ml of saline, but 700 ml is advisable. The red color from hemolyzed erythrocytes may clear while unacceptably high levels of heparin remain.