Fragnito 1995.

Methods	To determine if autotransfusion of unwashed shed mediastinal blood led to a reduction in postoperative banked blood requirements. A prospective randomised study of 82 participants undergoing myocardial revascularisation was conducted in 1994 at the Cardiovascular Center of Parma. Method of randomisation and allocation concealment were not described. The blinding status of study participants, personnel, and outcome assessors was not described.
Participants	82 participants undergoing myocardial revascularisation were randomised to one of two groups: ATS (Autotransfusion group): N = 41; M:F = 37:4. Mean (SD) age = 60.2 (9.3) Non‐ATS (No autotransfusion group): N = 41. M:F = 33:8. Mean (SD) age = 62.7 (8.9) The authors report no difference between the groups at baseline. The study contains a mixed population. No subgroup data are provided for the elective participants for inclusion within this review. We have requested the data.
Interventions	ATS: Autotransfusion group (Atrium 2550 autotransfusion system) had their drained blood processed using the autotransfusion system. Non‐ATS: control group did not receive autotransfusion.
Outcomes	Outcomes reported: amount of blood collected by the cell saver, number of participants transfused allogeneic blood, amount of allogeneic blood transfused, blood loss, mortality
Notes	Transfusion protocol: allogeneic blood transfusion was given during surgery if the haemoglobin level fell below 7.5 g/dL. Prospective registration status: it is unclear whether the trial was prospectively registered. Ethical approval: it is unclear whether the study received approval from an ethics committee or institutional review board. Language: the study was published in Italian. Reason for awaiting classification status: the study contains a mixed population. No subgroup data are provided for the elective participants for inclusion within this review. We have requested the data.