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Background and Objectives Materials and Methods Results Conclusions Blood establishments strive to ensure the safety and comfort of blood donors while minimizing adverse events. This review aims to assess the efficacy and effectiveness of eating and/or drinking interventions before, during and/or after blood donation in reducing vasovagal reactions (VVRs).We analysed randomized and non‐randomized controlled trials comparing eating and/or drinking interventions to no intervention, placebo or usual practice on (pre‐)syncopal VVRs and related symptoms. The GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach was used to assess the risk of bias and overall certainty of the evidence.Pre‐donation water ingestion likely results in reduced on‐site VVRs, compared to no water (2 fewer per 100 donors, moderate‐certainty evidence). A pre‐donation isotonic drink likely results in reduced VVRs, compared to usual practice (2 fewer per 100 donors, moderate‐certainty evidence). Pre‐donation salt‐loaded sweetened lemon water may result in fewer off‐site VVRs, compared to sweetened lemon water only (1 fewer per 100 donors, low‐certainty evidence). Pre‐donation water and a gel cap containing sucrose with 250 mg caffeine may result in fewer blood donor reaction ratings, compared to pre‐donation water only (low‐certainty evidence).Pre‐donation plain water ingestion or isotonic drink probably results in a large reduction in on‐site and off‐site VVRs. Pre‐donation water ingestion with caffeine consumption or salt supplementation may result in a VVR reduction, compared to water ingestion only. Future large trials are required to increase the certainty of the effect of these and other interventions in the prevention of VVRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Most research studies on the effects of repeated plasma donation are observational with different study limitations, resulting in high uncertainty on the link between repeated plasma donation and health consequences. Here, we prospectively investigated the safety of intensive or less intensive plasma donation protocols. Materials and Methods: Sixty‐three male subjects participated in this randomized controlled trial and were divided into low‐frequency (LF, once/month, n = 16), high‐frequency (HF, three times/month, n = 16), very high‐frequency (VHF, two times/week, n = 16) and a placebo (P, once/month, n = 15) groups. Biochemical, haematological, clinical, physiological and exercise‐related data were collected before (D0), after 1½ months (D42) and after 3 months (D84) of donation. Results: In VHF, red blood cells, haemoglobin and haematocrit levels decreased while reticulocyte levels increased from D0 to D84. In both HF and VHF, plasma ferritin levels were lower at D42 and D84 compared to D0. In VHF, plasma levels of albumin, immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) dropped from D0 to D42 and remained lower at D84 than at D0. In HF, plasma IgG, IgA and IgM were lower at D42, and IgG and IgM were lower at D84, compared to D0. Few adverse events were reported in HF and VHF. Repeated plasma donation had no effect on blood pressure, body composition or exercise performance. Conclusion: VHF plasmapheresis may result in a large reduction in ferritin and IgG levels. HF and VHF plasmapheresis may result in little to no difference in other biochemical, haematological, clinical, physiological and exercise‐related parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: As part of a large‐scale project to safely increase plasma collection in Europe, the current scoping review identifies the existing evidence (gaps) on adverse events (AEs) and other health effects in plasmapheresis donors, as well as factors that may be associated with such events/effects. Materials and Methods: We searched six databases and three registries. Study characteristics (publication type, language, study design, population, outcomes, associated factors, time of assessment, duration of follow‐up, number and frequency of donations, convalescent plasma [y/n], setting and location) were synthesized narratively and in an interactive evidence gap map (EGM). Results: Ninety‐four research articles and five registrations were identified. Around 90% were observational studies (57 controlled and 33 uncontrolled), and most of them were performed in Europe (55%) or the United States (20%). Factors studied in association with donor health included donor characteristics (e.g., sex, age) (n = 27), cumulative number of donations (n = 21), donation frequency (n = 11), plasma collection device or programme (n = 11), donor status (first time vs. repeat) (n = 10), donation volume per session (n = 8), time in donation programme (n = 3), preventive measures (n = 2) or other (n = 9). Conclusion: The current scoping review provides an accessible tool for researchers and policymakers to identify the available evidence (gaps) concerning plasmapheresis donation safety. Controlled prospective studies with long‐term donor follow‐up are scarce. Furthermore, additional experimental studies comparing the health effects of different donation frequencies are required to inform a safe upper limit for donation frequency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the growing utilization of Plasma-Derived Medicinal Products (PDMPs) and the importance of ensuring the safety of plasma donors. It critiques two studies that concluded that repeated plasmapheresis (plasma donation) is safe for donors, pointing out methodological shortcomings and selection biases in the studies. The authors argue that more robust evidence, such as randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and real-world data analysis, is needed to determine the long-term impact of repeated plasmapheresis on donor health. They emphasize the need for trustworthy evidence syntheses and transparent criteria for evaluating the quality of evidence. Until more conclusive evidence is available, blood establishments will continue to prioritize donor safety. [Extracted from the article]

Background and Objectives: Platelet transfusions are used across multiple patient populations to prevent and correct bleeding. This scoping review aimed to map the currently available systematic reviews (SRs) and evidence‐based guidelines in the field of platelet transfusion. Materials and Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in seven databases for SRs on effectiveness (including dose and timing, transfusion trigger and ratio to other blood products), production modalities and decision support related to platelet transfusion. The following data were charted: methodological features of the SR, population, concept and context features, outcomes reported, study design and number of studies included. Results were synthesized in interactive evidence maps. Results: We identified 110 SRs. The majority focused on clinical effectiveness, including prophylactic or therapeutic transfusions compared to no platelet transfusion (34 SRs), prophylactic compared to therapeutic‐only transfusion (8 SRs), dose, timing (11 SRs) and threshold for platelet transfusion (15 SRs) and the ratio of platelet transfusion to other blood products in massive transfusion (14 SRs). Furthermore, we included 34 SRs on decision support, of which 26 evaluated viscoelastic testing. Finally, we identified 22 SRs on platelet production modalities, including derivation (4 SRs), pathogen inactivation (6 SRs), leucodepletion (4 SRs) and ABO/human leucocyte antigen matching (5 SRs). The SRs were mapped according to concept and clinical context. Conclusion: An interactive evidence map of SRs and evidence‐based guidelines in the field of platelet transfusion has been developed and identified multiple reviews. This work serves as a tool for researchers looking for evidence gaps, thereby both supporting research and avoiding unnecessary duplication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]