Introduction: Everyday, millions of people around the world go through phlebotomy, either to donate
blood or for therapeutic intention. The most important worrisome adverse effects are hemodynamic
alterations. In this study, hemodynamic changes following blood donation were assessed.
Methods & Materials: Three hundred laborers who donated blood voluntarily were enrolled in this
study. Blood pressure (BP) and pulse rate were measured before the procedure, ten minutes
afterwards, and one week following phlebotomy. Hemoglobin (Hgb) and hematocrit (Hct) were also
determined prior to and one week after phlebotomy. Finally, results before and after donation were
compared with each other.
Results: 242 volunteers had normal BP and 58 were hypertensive. The mean systolic blood pressures
(SBP) before phlebotomy, ten minutes after the procedure, and one week later were 120, 117, and 122
mmHg, respectively. During the same periods of time, t~e mean of diastolic blood pressures (DBP)
were 77 , 78 and 78mmHg , in order, while pulse rates on average were 80 , 82 and 76 beats/minute.
None of the aforementioned changes were clinically significant. After one week, Hgb decreased by
about 0.3 g/dl (P<0.001) and Hct declined on average of 1.7 (P<0.001). Forty six individuals had high
DBP and one week after donation, their DBP was reduced by 7 mmHg. Age, body mass index and
smoking did not have any significant effect on hemodynamic status.
Conclusion: Hemodynamic changes in healthy blood donors were not clinically significant. It seems
that DBP drops desirably in hypertensive individuals. This needs to be evaluated more carefully in
future studies.