Arrhythmias - Whole blood and components

Essential information

Obligatory

1. Must not donate if:
   1. Symptomatic or requires treatment
   2. The donor is undergoing investigation
   3. The donor has a history of an arrhythmia (e.g. 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 (e.g. thyrotoxicosis), refer to a Designated Clinical Support Officer.
2. Donors who have been treated by ablation therapy for supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) caused by either atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) or Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, and
   1. It is at least 6 months since successful ablation therapy, and
   2. The donor does not require regular or 'as required' medication for their SVT, and
   3. There is no other associated heart disease, and
   4. The donor has been discharged from follow-up, accept.
3. Donors with a history of palpitations where the donor has been assessed clinically and a cardiac cause has been excluded, see Palpitations.

Supporting information

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, referral to a Designated Clinical Support Officer ensures further information can be sought regarding their condition.

Reason for change:

Discretionary criteria revised.

Version details:

WB-DSG Edition 203 Release 72 (31 July 2024)