Donation after cardiac death in non-survivable burns

Anaesth Intensive Care. 2013 May;41(3):380-5. doi: 10.1177/0310057X1304100317.

Abstract

Major burns have previously been considered a contraindication to solid organ donation. We present two cases of successful organ donation and transplantation, after Maastricht category III cardiac death in adult patients with non-survivable burns injury. The implications of the outcome of these cases are that major burns should not be considered a contraindication to organ donation, and that cardiac death provides opportunity for patients with non-survivable burns to contribute to the pool of potential organ donors.

Keywords: non-survivable burns injury; organ donation; renal transplantation.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Australia
  • Burns / mortality*
  • Burns / therapy
  • Death*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kidney Transplantation / statistics & numerical data
  • Male
  • Organ Preservation
  • Palliative Care
  • Resuscitation
  • Tissue Donors
  • Tissue and Organ Procurement / statistics & numerical data*