JPAC Joint United Kingdom (UK) Blood Transfusion and Tissue Transplantation Services Professional Advisory Committee

Arrhythmias

Obligatory

1. Must not donate if:

a)    Symptomatic or requires treatment
 

b)    The donor is undergoing investigation


c)    The donor has a history of an arrhythmia (eg Atrial Fibrillation, Atrial Flutter, Supraventricular Tachycardia, Ventricular Tachycardia) even if their symptoms have now settled.


2. In other cases:
Refer to a 'Designated Clinical Support Officer'.

Discretionary

1. Donors with a previous history of an arrhythmia triggered by a non-cardiac medical condition which has now been treated (eg thyrotoxicosis), refer to a DCSO.


2. Donors who have been treated by ablation therapy for Supraventricular Tachycardia (including Wolff-Parkinson White Syndrome), refer to a DCSO.


3. Donors with a history of palpitations where the donor has been assessed clinically and a cardiac cause has been excluded, see the entry for ‘Palpitations’
 

See if Relevant

Cardiovascular Disease
Palpitations

Additional Information

Some heart irregularities may be made worse by giving blood. This includes a risk that donation could trigger a recurrence in someone with a history of a previous arrhythmia. In cases where the donor’s eligibility is not clear, DCSO referral ensures further information can be sought regarding their condition.

Information

This is a requirement of the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations 2005.

Reason for change

This entry has been revised to refer to the new entry for Palpitations and to clarify the obligatory and discretionary criteria.

Donor Information

If you wish to obtain more information regarding a personal medical issue please contact your National Help Line.

Please do not contact this web site for personal medical queries, as we are not in a position to provide individual answers.

Update Information

This entry was last updated in:
DSG-WB Edition 202, Release 44.