Are complications of autotransfusion typically related to the volume of blood transfused?

The assertion that complications of autotransfusion are typically related to the volume of blood transfused is not accurate. Autotransfusion, which involves the reinfusion of a patient's own blood, generally has a better safety profile compared to allogeneic (donor) blood transfusions because the risks of immune reactions and transmission of infectious diseases are minimized.

While volume can impact hemodynamics and physiological parameters such as dilutional coagulopathy or electrolyte imbalances, these issues are not inherently tied to autotransfusion itself but are more significant in allogeneic transfusions where immune responses may vary based on volume and the donor's blood type. In many cases, the risks associated with complications arise from factors such as the timing of reinfusion, the quality of the collected blood, or the presence of contamination during the collection process, rather than simply the volume of blood infused.

Thus, the complications are more nuanced and not solely based on the volume of blood transfused, making it accurate to state that the answer is false.