Therapeutic plasma donation, known as plasmapheresis, is a medical procedure where blood is drawn, the plasma component is separated, and the remaining components are safely returned to the donor. This life-saving process provides raw material for plasma-derived medicinal products used to treat complex conditions like immune deficiencies, bleeding disorders, and trauma. A mandatory health screening process is conducted before each donation to protect the donor’s health and ensure plasma quality. This rigorous check includes measuring vital signs, with blood pressure being a central component of the safety assessment.
Why Blood Pressure Screening is Essential
The primary reason for checking blood pressure before every donation is to protect the donor from potential complications. Plasmapheresis involves a temporary reduction in the donor’s overall fluid volume as the plasma is removed, and this fluid shift can place stress on the cardiovascular system.
For a person with pre-existing high blood pressure, or hypertension, this additional stress could potentially exacerbate an underlying cardiovascular issue. Maintaining stable blood pressure and fluid balance is necessary for the procedure to be completed safely.
The screening also serves as a regulatory measure, ensuring the donation center complies with federal guidelines set forth by agencies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These guidelines mandate that centers verify a donor’s fitness to donate before any collection begins.
Mandatory Blood Pressure Limits for Donors
The maximum blood pressure allowed for plasma donation is defined by strict regulatory guidelines. Blood pressure is measured by two numbers: the systolic pressure (the top number), which indicates the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats, and the diastolic pressure (the bottom number), which measures pressure when your heart rests between beats.
A donor’s systolic blood pressure must be no higher than 180 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) to proceed with donation. The diastolic blood pressure cannot exceed 100 mm Hg. Therefore, a reading above 180/100 mm Hg results in an immediate deferral.
In addition to the upper limits, there are also minimum requirements to ensure donor safety. The systolic pressure must be at least 90 mm Hg, and the diastolic pressure must be at least 50 mm Hg. These parameters, typically a range of 90/50 mm Hg to 180/100 mm Hg, are based on FDA regulations and industry standards. If a donor’s readings fall outside this acceptable range, the staff cannot safely proceed with the donation without specific medical approval.
Navigating Temporary Deferral
When a donor’s blood pressure is measured above the maximum acceptable limits, it results in a temporary deferral. This is not a permanent rejection but rather a pause, allowing the donor to rest and potentially re-test later that day. Often, factors like temporary stress, anxiety, or rushing to the donation center can cause a transient spike in blood pressure.
If the reading remains high upon re-testing, the deferral is typically in effect for a short period, such as 24 hours to one week. This time frame allows the donor to address temporary factors like dehydration or lack of rest. A donor who is repeatedly deferred for high blood pressure is advised to consult a personal physician.
Consistently high readings may indicate undiagnosed or poorly managed hypertension, a condition that needs a doctor’s attention. While a donor may be taking medication to control their blood pressure, the actual reading on the day of donation must still fall within the acceptable safety limits. The donation center staff must confirm the donor meets all requirements at the time of the appointment, regardless of their normal health status or medication regimen.
Other Health Requirements for Plasma Donation
Blood pressure is one of several physiological checks performed to confirm a donor’s eligibility before plasmapheresis. A donor’s pulse rate must also be measured, generally required to be regular and within a range of 50 to 100 beats per minute.
Body temperature is another vital sign assessed, with an oral temperature limit set at 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit (37.5 degrees Celsius) or lower. These checks ensure the donor is not experiencing a fever or acute illness that could compromise their health during the donation.
A minimum body weight of 110 pounds (50 kilograms) is required to ensure the volume of blood processed during plasmapheresis is safe. A small blood sample is also taken to measure the donor’s iron levels (hemoglobin or hematocrit), which must meet minimum standards to prevent anemia.