Deferrals for atherosclerotic disease
The Medical Director for a Donor Center writes to ask about policies for allogeneic donors with atherosclerotic disease. They currently defer donors with symptomatic coronary or carotid artery disease. He asks "what to do about asymptomatic donors with evidence of significant disease, especially those who have had invasive treatment in the past or who are now taking Plavix®?
The following comments have been received in response.
ADDENDA June 9, 2010
- A blood donor collection center medical director states that if consulted to make a decision regarding the eligibility of a donor with severe coronary artery disease who is on Plavix® and has been advised by his/her physician not to stop it, she would defer the donor indefinitely based on the medication being taken and the medical condition for which the drug is being used. Reinstatement of the donor would require consultation with Medical Director.
If the donor has been referred for autologous red cell donation after being evaluated and cleared by his/her own physician, and is asymptomatic, the donor is accepted for whole blood donation as long as all criteria for autologous donation are met.
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