Does intraoperative cell salvage remove cobalt and chromium from reinfused blood?

In 12 patients undergoing a revision hip arthroplasty after a failed metal-on-metal primary hip arthroplasty, the effectiveness of intraoperative cell salvage (ICS) in removing metal ions was investigated. Samples of blood collected during surgery were filtered using 2 ICS devices. The samples had the concentrations of cobalt (Co) and chromium (Cr) measured before and after filtration.