Autologous whole blood

Autologous whole blood refers to blood collected from an individual for subsequent re-administration to that same individual, primarily to manage perioperative blood loss or treat specific musculoskeletal conditions (StatPearls, 2023). Unlike allogeneic blood, autologous blood eliminates the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections, alloimmunization, and hemolytic reactions (American Red Cross). In orthopedic medicine, autologous blood injections (ABI) are used to treat chronic tendinopathies by delivering a concentrated source of growth factors and cytokines to the site of injury to stimulate tissue repair (Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, 2020). While it contains various cellular components like erythrocytes and platelets, it is not a discrete molecular target such as a receptor or enzyme; rather, it is a complex biological medium (PubMed, 2021). Its use is governed by strict protocols to prevent bacterial contamination and administrative errors, which remain the primary safety concerns (AABB Technical Manual, 2021). The efficacy of autologous blood therapy depends on the viability of the cellular components and the concentration of bioactive molecules at the time of administration (NIH, 2022).

Other names

Autologous bloodAutologous blood injectionAutologous transfusionAutologous whole blood intervention

Restoration of blood volume and oxygen-carrying capacity; delivery of endogenous growth factors and cytokines to promote healing in musculoskeletal tissues.