What does the term "autologous transfusion" mean?

The term "autologous transfusion" specifically refers to a situation where a patient receives their own blood. This method is commonly used to minimize the risk of transfusion reactions and infections, as the blood is collected from the same individual who will later receive it. This type of transfusion is often planned in advance, allowing patients to donate their blood before a scheduled surgery or medical procedure.

In contrast, the other options describe different types of transfusions: one involves a donor providing blood to a recipient, which is a standard allogenic transfusion. Another option refers to using blood from a family member, which is known as directed donation. The last option describes the use of artificial blood substitutes, which does not involve actual blood at all. Each of these alternatives highlights distinct practices within transfusion medicine, but the key aspect of autologous transfusion is the use of the patient's own blood to ensure safety and compatibility.