Cerebrovascular disease and intracranial haemorrhage - Whole blood and components

Essential information

Includes

Diseases of the vasculature of the brain. These include:

• Stroke or cerebrovascular accident (haemorrhagic or embolic)
• Transient ischaemic attack
• Vascular dementia
• Carotid artery disease
• Cerebral haemorrhages and haematomas that are intracranial, subdural, subarachnoid, or epidural
• Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS)

Obligatory

Must not donate.

Discretionary

1. If the donor has had one or more berry aneurysms treated by interventional radiology or surgery and
   1. The donor has recovered from any associated subarachnoid haemorrhage, and
   2. There is no residual neurological deficit, such as a stroke, and
   3. Any surgery did not require the use of dural grafts and/or was performed in the UK after 1992, refer to a Designated Clinical Support Officer.
      
      
2. If the donor has recovered from a single episode of intracranial haemorrhage due to trauma, and
   1. There is no underlying cerebral or cerebrovascular disease, and
   2. There is no underlying bleeding disorder, and
   3. There is no residual neurological deficit, such as a stroke, accept.
      
      
3. If the donor has been diagnosed with reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS), and:
   1. They have been recovered for at least 6 months, and
   2. They have been fully investigated, with no further treatment or follow‑up, and
   3. There is no residual fatigue, headache, neurological deficit or cognitive impairment, and
   4. Any associated diagnosis does not preclude donation, accept.

Supporting information

See if relevant

• Central nervous system disease
• Epilepsy
• Neurosurgery
• Transfusion

Additional information

A history of thrombotic stroke or cerebral haemorrhage may increase the risk of donor adverse events. In order to reduce this risk, donors with a history of cerebrovascular disease must be deferred.

If the incident was due to trauma, and not intrinsic cerebrovascular pathology, and donor has fully recovered, it may be appropriate to accept the donor.

RCVS is a neurological condition usually characterised by sudden severe ‘thunderclap’ headaches, which may recur over a few days to weeks. The condition is caused by temporary vasoconstriction of cerebral blood vessels. Women are more likely to be affected than men.

Several risk factors for RCVS have been identified, including pregnancy, headache disorders, medications, illegal drugs and alcohol, head trauma, some tumours, autoimmune disorders, blood disorders and some viral infections. Although many individuals will recover completely, patients can experience serious neurological complications; for example, subarachnoid haemorrhage, ischaemic stroke or seizures. Other long-term sequelae can occur, including fatigue, persistent headaches, problems with memory and concentration, and speech problems.

Given the complexity of RCVS, referral to a Designated Clinical Support Officer may be required to establish if a donor meets the eligibility criteria listed above.

Reason for change:

Information about reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome has been added. Search terms ‘reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome' and ‘RCVS’ will now return this entry instead of the ‘Migraine’ entry.

Version:

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome

Version details:

WB-DSG Edition 203 Release 82 (17 September 2026)