Clinical study of vaso-vagal reflex (VVR) in autologous blood predeposition.

Background: Recently autologous blood predonation has been used in preoperative blood preparation. Among side effects, VVR is one of the most dangerous. The purpose of this study was to clarify causative factors in and prevention of VVR. Methods: A total of 762 patients made 1, 279 donations. The 33-months investigation was divided into 4 periods, Period I-IV. Results: VVR occurred in 76 donations (71 patients, or 5.9% of patients). Sixty-six occurrences were grade I. Incidence in Period III was significantly lower than that in Period I or II. With regard to age, incidence of VVR was 41.7% in those aged 10-15 years. For body weight, it was 15.6% for patients less than 50kg. In paticular, incidence was a high 47.4% in patients aged 15 years or younger and weighing 50kg or less. Conclusion: The data emphasize the importance of informed consent in patients aged less than 15 and weighing less than 50kg.