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Do reactions after whole blood donation predict syncope on return donation?
Author(s) -
Eder Anne F.,
Notari Edward P.,
Dodd Roger Y.
Publication year - 2012
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.1537-2995.2012.03666.x
Subject(s) - donation , medicine , syncope (phonology) , blood donor , blood donations , vasovagal syncope , whole blood , surgery , immunology , economics , economic growth
BACKGROUND: Adverse reactions after whole blood donation reduce the likelihood of a subsequent donation. Still, many donors return to give blood even after experiencing a reaction. Consequently, we evaluated the risk of recurrent syncope among returning donors. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Allogeneic whole blood donors in 2009 who had vasovagal‐type reactions including syncope were evaluated for return donation within 12 months and subsequent reactions, based on donation status (novice [first‐time] or active [repeat]) or age at index donation. RESULTS: Syncope after a first whole blood donation significantly reduced the frequency of return donation (18%), compared to either presyncopal symptoms (27%; p < 0.0001) or no reaction (35%; p < 0.0001). Among novice donors who returned to donate, syncope was more likely among donors who had any reaction (0.8%) or syncope (3.5%) at their first donation, compared to donors who had no reaction (0.3%; p < 0.0001). Syncope at a first donation identified only 2% (19 of 1062) of syncopal reactions among returning donors. For active, repeat donors who experienced syncope in 2009, a history of prior reactions had no effect on the likelihood of return donation or recurrent syncope. CONCLUSION: Donation experience strongly influences the likelihood of return donation and the risk of subsequent reactions, but a prior reaction after whole blood donation does not reliably predict recurrent syncope among returning donors.