Introduction: The author describes the autologous programmes situation in the Czech Republic (CR) in 2002. Methods: 150 departments were sent questionnaires mapping the implementation of autologous programmes in the CR in 2002. Results: 108 departments responded. 21591 preoperative autologous whole blood donations (PAD) were performed (4,6% of all whole blood donations, incl. allogeneic ones). This number included 86 donations in children and 19 donations in pregnant women. 66 autologous donations by erythrocytopheresis and 74 by plasmapheresis, 2840 acute normovolaemic haemodilution (ANH) and 209 cases of perioperative blood salvage (PBS) were made.Two thirds of collected autologous blood units were processed in whole blood, one third of them in red blood cells and somewhat less in plasma. Discussion: Among autologous donations in the CR PAD predominates, the number of PAD in 2002 has increased in comparison to 2001. Most of the PADs were performed in the Vysočina region, and the least rate was in the Středočeský region. The detection of anti-HCV, anti-HIV-1,2, HBsAg and syphilis was higher in autologous blood donations than in allogeneic ones. In the first time donors the incidence of anti-HCV and HBsAg was higher than in allogeneic ones. The number of apheretic autologous donations declined as compared with previous year. The number of reported transfusion reactions has increased. Data on ANH and PBS are underrated due to the non-participation of many anaesthesiological and recuscitation departments including large hospitals.

        Key words: autologous blood donation, preoperative blood donation, apheresis, acute normovolaemic haemodilution, peroperation blood salvage