Screening and evaluation of blood donors with upper-limit hematocrit levels.
Eighty-one consecutive repeat male blood donors with hematocrit levels ranging from 0.49 to 0.54 underwent hematologic investigation, blood gas analysis, and respiratory function tests in order to ascertain whether they represent the upper end of the reference distribution or have underlying causes of erythrocytosis. Three of the 81 (3.7%) proved to have early-stage polycythemia rubra vera, nine (11.1%) to have erythrocytosis secondary to respiratory failure, and two (2.4%) to have relative erythrocytosis due to reduced plasma volume. Detection and evaluation of blood donors with high hematocrit values are ways in which blood banks could contribute to health screening and become involved in preventive medicine.
Centro Trasfusionale e di Immunologia dei Trapianti, Ospedale Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
A
A
Zanella
C
C
Silvani
P
P
Banfi
A
A
Bellone
G
G
Fumagalli
G
G
Sirchia
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001782:Blood Donors; D006400:Hematocrit; D006403:Hematologic Tests; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011086:Polycythemia / Q000175:diagnosis; D011087:Polycythemia Vera / Q000175:diagnosis