Abstract
Objective: As vasovagal reaction (VVR) is a major adverse effect due to blood drawing, it is necessary to have measures to prevent VVR and procedures to take if it occurs at the time of blood withdrawal. We investigated the current status of subjects developing VVR at our center.
Methods: VVR occurred in 29 of 41,076 men (average age: 45.7 ± 11.3yrs) and 18 of 22,217 women (44.0 ± 12.3yrs) who had blood drawn at our center from December 2012 to September 2014. We investigated the cases of VVR with regard to age, gender, BMI, sleep length, severity and recovery process.
Results: Nineteen of the 47 people who suffered VVR were 29 years old or younger (prevalence: 0.30%). Risk factors were short sleep time, female gender and being thin. Most cases were not severe and subjects recovered by resting on a bed with their legs up.
Conclusion: It is important to improve the blood drawing environment to reduce the VVR risk. We need to pay attention to subjects at high risk, including those lacking sleep. We should also recommend that people lie down during blood drawing, and communicate with them to relieve any concerns.
