The identification and management of the brain‐dead multiple organ donor should be treated as a critical care subspeciality of medicine because of the life‐saving value of organ donation to transplant recipients. The growing mortality rate amongst persons awaiting a transplant will negate future advances in allograft survival if donor organ availability does not improve. In this review we outline the problems and present solutions in the areas of donor recognition; medical, legal and legislative issues of brain death; and the request and referral for donation. The scientific and practical strategies of the transition from brain injury‐oriented care to donor organ maintenance are reviewed in depth.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Fisher et al. (1992) studied this question.