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Study of the Incidence and Characteristics of Blood Donor “Reactors”
Author(s) -
Callahan Robert,
Edelman Elsa B.,
Smith Mary S.,
Smith James J.
Publication year - 1963
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1111/j.1537-2995.1963.tb05903.x
Subject(s) - fainting , incidence (geometry) , blood pressure , pulse rate , blood donor , medicine , pulse (music) , transfusion reaction , continuous stirred tank reactor , surgery , anesthesia , blood transfusion , chemistry , immunology , mathematics , computer science , telecommunications , geometry , detector
Analysis of “reactor” and control groups of blood bank donors reveals from a statistical standpoint younger donors, particularly female, with a previous history of fainting are more prone to reaction. The “reactor” group had a tendency toward a higher pulse rate and pulse pressure and a lower diastolic pressure before bleeding. Race, blood type and body temperature did not influence the incidence of reactions. It was three times more likely for a one‐time “reactor” to have a subsequent reaction than for a control donor. This distinct tendency toward multiple “reactors” makes it very probable that there exists a “reactor‐prone” type. The fundamental cause of the reaction as well as the defect in the “reaction‐prone” donor are unknown. Closer study of “multiple reactors” would seem to be a profitable approach to the donor reaction problem.