We have studied influence of the age related factors on preoperative autologous donation (PAD) of blood in cardic surgery. PAD was undertaken in 246 cases of elective cardiac surgery by means of simple or leap-frog method, starting at approximately 4.5 weeks before operation. It provided 1726 ml of autologous blood storage on the average. Sorting the patients into three groups with age, leading surgical procedures were as follows: closure of the atrial septal defect (ASD) in teen 30s (group L, n = 51), aortic valve replacement (AVR) or mitral valve replacement (MVR) in 40s-50s (group M, n = 83) and 60s and over (group H, n = 112). Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was more common in group H. Percent-freedom from allogeneic blood transfusion was 82.3% in group L, 80.7% in group M and 61.6% in group H, respectively (p < 0.05; L, M vs. H), donated blood volume in group H was significantly less than that of group M (p < 0.05, M: 1987 +/- 63, H: 1610 +/- 60 ml), because blood volume and hemoglobin level before donation tended to be less in group H. Each group did not differ in blood loss during and after operation, which showed a significant positive correlation with operation time and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time. Comparing factors in ASD, CPB time was relatively long, and postoperative blood loss was significantly larger in group H (p < 0.05; L: 432 +/- 71 ml, M: 369 +/- 34 ml, H: 754 +/- 124 ml). This finding suggests that the secondary lesions in age ASD cases adversely affected hemostasis. As to AVR, MVR and CABG, there were no differences in these factors but donated blood volume among three groups. We conclude that elderly patient (60s and over) tends to necessitate allogeneic blood transfusion in cardiac surgery because of the insufficient PAD. Earlier commencement of PAD or concomitant application of erythropoietin will improve this situation.