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Upper-extremity deep venous thrombosis complicating whole-blood donation
R B Covin1, N L Rich, Agnes Aysola
1University of Minnesota Medical School, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Minneapolis, USA.
Background:
Up to 36 percent of blood donors may experience a donation-related complication. Fatigue, bruises, hematomas, and vasovagal reactions comprise the great majority of donor reactions and injuries. Serious complications are rare.
Case Report:
A 20-year-old female taking the third-generation oral contraceptive desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol and ethinyl estradiol (Mircette) developed bruising and increased pain and swelling of her right arm over a 5-day period after whole-blood donation. She was a first-time donor and the venipuncture was reported as being mildly traumatic. There was no personal or family history of thrombosis.
Results:
Ultrasound examination of her upper extremity revealed the presence of a deep venous thrombosis that required treatment with enoxaparin sodium for 5 days and warfarin for 6 months. Evaluation for thrombophilia was negative. The only risk factor for thrombosis was use of oral contraceptives.
Conclusion:
Although serious complications from whole-blood donation are rare, they may occur. Deep venous thrombosis should be considered in a donor presenting with increasing pain and swelling after blood donation.