[Advanced age--a risk factor in autologous blood donation?]

Tolerance of autologous blood donation was investigated in a patient group aged between 66 and 75 years (median = 70 years). Autologous blood donors between 18 and 65 years (median = 51 years) served as a control. A total of 38 patients were examined. Only blood donors which did not exceed ASA criteria II were accepted. Blood donation was performed weekly with a daily ferrum intake of 200 mg. Patients were divided into two groups with and without volume replacement, respectively. The parameters investigated were: blood pressure and pulse before and after the first and second autologous blood donation, circulatory response during 24 h after blood donation, and hemoglobin concentration before the first, second, and third donation. Regarding pulse and blood pressure, there was no statistical difference between the elder and younger patient group. Hemoglobin reduction from the first to the second donation was 1.1 g/dl in both groups and from the second to the third donation 1.1 g/dl in the younger group and 1.2 g/dl in the elder patient group. Again, no significant difference between both groups could be shown. None of the 38 patients showed negative side effects regarding the circulatory response during a time period of 24 h after blood donation.