Heart rate variability and cardiovascular dynamics during autologous blood donation

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of blood volume reduction (300 – 400 mL) on circulation and Heart Rate Variability (HRV), by using autologous blood donation as a model of blood volume change. In 33 adult subjects (56.3 ± 15.9yrs) with no circulatory, respiratory, or neurologic disease, we measured Blood Pressure (BP) and electrocardiographic parameters during autologous blood donation. We divided the subjects into 3 groups according to age (10–30 yrs, 40–50 yrs, and 60–80 yrs) and into 2 groups according to blood donation experience. In all age groups, the Low‐Frequency power/High‐Frequency power ratio (LF/HF) increased, and the HF power decreased during autologous blood donation. Additionally, during autologous blood donation, the 60–80 yrs age group exhibited the highest variation in HRV. In non‐experienced group, LF/HF decreased after autologous blood donation. Further, 1 subject developed Vaso‐Vagal Reaction (VVR). LF/HF was markedly higher in this subject than in the other subjects before autologous blood donation. After autologous blood donation, the decrease in LF/HF in the subject with VVR was similar that of subjects in the non‐experienced group. In the subject with VVR, BP decreased significantly, and the Heart Rate (HR) did not increase after autologous blood donation. In contrast, in the other subjects, BP decreased mildly and HR increased after autologous blood donation.