Vasovagal reactions among blood donors - incidence, mechanisms, risk factors, implications and preventive measures - a literature study
Background/objective: Blood donation is considered to be a safe procedure, however, sometimes vasovagal reactions (VVRs) with various degrees of severity can occur. This paper provides an overview of the incidence of VVR with a focus on vasovagal syncope (VVS, temporary loss of consciousness), risk...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | Danish |
| Published: |
NITO - Bioingeniørfaglig institutt
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Bioingeniøren |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.bioingenioren.no/fag/fag-oversiktsartikkel/vasovagale-reaksjoner-blant-blodgivere--forekomst-mekanismer-risikofaktore-implikasjoner-og-forebyggende-tiltak---en-litteraturstudie/ |
| Summary: | Background/objective: Blood donation is considered to be a safe procedure, however, sometimes vasovagal reactions (VVRs) with various degrees of severity can occur. This paper provides an overview of the incidence of VVR with a focus on vasovagal syncope (VVS, temporary loss of consciousness), risk factors, and possible consequences of VVR/VVS for donors, as well as effects of interventions that are used to reduce VVR/VVS among blood donors. We also discuss mechanisms underlying VVS and evolutionary explanations for VVS.
Methods: Relevant studies were found by search in PubMed.
Results: Reported incidence of VVS varies from 0.1% to 0.5%, with higher incidence among younger and first-time donors, but mixed results have been found for gender differences: whereas some studies report higher incidence among female donors, other studies find no differences. Anxiety, fear of needles or seeing blood are frequent triggers of VVR/VVS, particularly among first-time donors. Donors who have experienced VVR/VVS are less likely to return to donate. Physiologic interventions such as pre-donation water intake and applied muscle tension during donation, alone or in combination, have shown effect in reducing VVR/VVS in several studies. Psychological interventions such as distraction and social support have also shown to reduce the risk of VVR/VVS. From an evolutionary perspective, VVS may have had a survival advantage in the distant past. |
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| ISSN: | 0801-6828 1890-1875 |