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Polycythemic Donors—Are They Useful and Safe?
Author(s) -
Hyman G. A.,
Carlsen E.
Publication year - 1970
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.1537-2995.1970.tb00695.x
Subject(s) - medicine , polycythemia vera , donation , blood donor , blood transfusion , intensive care medicine , adverse effect , surgery , immunology , economics , economic growth
A 15‐year experience with the transfusion of blood from donors with polycythemia vera is summarized. For no valid scientific reason a fine source of donor blood has been largely ignored. In the study reported, not only has the expected benefit occurred following transfusion from polycythemic donors, but there has been freedom from possible adverse late sequelae. Fifty‐six recipients have lived from two to thirteen years; 20 recipients are still being followed. In no instance was a new case of cancer or of polycythemia vera discovered in the recipient. In addition, there is a provocative possibility that cancer occurs less often than expected in the recipient of such transfusions. At least the procedure has not been proven harmful, and the authors suggest that a valuable source of blood donation, the healthy donor with polycythemia vera, should be employed routinely.