Electrocardiographic activity after terminal cardiac arrest in neurocatastrophes

United Network of Organ Sharing data have emphasized recently an increasing number of deaths of candidate recipients awaiting organs.1 Procuring organs from non-heart-beating donors has been proposed as one solution to this organ shortage, but this strategy can be successful only if implemented widely. In our practice, we encounter many patients who have lost most of their brain function but do not strictly meet criteria for brain death. The families of such patients frequently express interest in organ and tissue donation. This category of patients with a hopelessly injured brain has the potential to be an important source of organs for transplantation. In some countries, and even in some hospitals, a major obstacle remains to the widespread acceptance of a non-heart-beating protocol. A 10-minute asystole is required currently in the Maastricht proposal, but protocols in the United States …