[Hemodilution--methodological problems].

To achieve normovolemic hemodilution two methods have established themselves: the acute preoperative hemodilution and the therapy with different blood constituents. The ever increasing consumption of blood and blood products shows the absolute necessity of using all the available constituents, especially the erythrocytes. A proved and standardized transfusion program is shown, which --allows blood substitution with specific hemodilution without additional expenses of time and organization or technical difficulties, --shows means of substituting 80% of the blood consumption with packed red cells (Erythrozytenkonzentrate), --helps save blood and blood products, --unites the plasma production with that of the erythrocytes.