Hemodilution

/ˌhiːmoʊˌdɪˈluːʃən/ noun

Definition

The process of diluting blood by adding fluid, which decreases the concentration of red blood cells and hemoglobin in the blood.

Etymology

From 'hemo-' (blood) + Latin 'dilutus' (weakened/thinned). This term developed in cardiology and anesthesia in the late 20th century to describe a surgical technique where doctors deliberately thin the blood to improve circulation and reduce clotting risks.

Kelly Says

Surgeons use hemodilution as a clever trick during open-heart surgery—by thinning your blood, it flows through narrower passages more easily and you need fewer blood transfusions, reducing infection risks. It's like switching from thick honey to water through a straw.

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