Korean J Crit Care Med.  2016 May;31(2):169-172. 10.4266/kjccm.2016.31.2.169.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for the Support of a Potential Organ Donor with a Fatal Brain Injury before Brain Death Determination

• Chang SW
• Han S
• Ko JH
• Ryu JW

• KMID: 2350927
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4266/kjccm.2016.31.2.169

Abstract

The shortage of available organ donors is a significant problem and various efforts have been made to avoid the loss of organ donors. Among these, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been introduced to help support and manage potential donors. Many traumatic brain injury patients have healthy organs that might be eligible for donation for transplantation. However, the condition of a donor with a fatal brain injury may rapidly deteriorate prior to brain death determination; this frequently results in the loss of eligible donors. Here, we report the use of venoarterial ECMO to support a potential donor with a fatal brain injury before brain death determination, and thereby preserve donor organs. The patient successfully donated his liver and kidneys after brain death determination.

Keyword

extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; brain death; organ donation

MeSH Terms

Brain Death*
Brain Injuries*
Brain*
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation*
Humans
Kidney
Liver
Tissue and Organ Procurement
Tissue Donors*

Reference

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