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The Brain-Dead Organ Donor pp 333–341Cite as

Current and Potential Future Trends in the Management of the Brain-Dead Organ Donor

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Abstract

Despite advances in the prevention and treatment of end-stage organ ­failure, solid-organ transplantation remains for many the best option for improving the quality of life and the likelihood of survival. Procurement of organs from brain-dead donors is the only option for the majority of patients with end-stage heart and lung failure needing and qualifying for transplantation. It has been known for quite some time, however, that the brain death process can lead to a pathophysiologic cascade that potentially produces significant donor organ dysfunction. As a result, a significant effort has been made to explore approaches to improve donor organ function by removing the organ from the brain death milieu and by protecting the organs in vivo and ex vivo from the cascade of events that is initiated during the brain death process and the inevitable and obligatory ischemia–reperfusion event. This chapter summarizes some of the exciting approaches ranging from attempts at improving the logistics of donor procurement to controlling the molecular events that lead to organ dysfunction. Thankfully, the altruism of truly generous families and donors offers hope to many.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Ms. Shree Smith and Ms. Laurie Dean for their assistance in preparation of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, USA

    Octavio E. Pajaro M.D., Ph.D.

  2. Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA

    James K. Kirklin M.D.

Authors
  1. Octavio E. Pajaro M.D., Ph.D.
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  2. James K. Kirklin M.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Octavio E. Pajaro M.D., Ph.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Tampa VA Medical Center, Surgery, University of South Florida, Bruce B. Downs Blvd 12901, Tampa, 33612, Florida, USA

    Dimitri Novitzky

  2. Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institu, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Lothrop Street 200, Pittsburgh, 15213, Pennsylvania, USA

    David K C Cooper

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Pajaro, O.E., Kirklin, J.K. (2013). Current and Potential Future Trends in the Management of the Brain-Dead Organ Donor. In: Novitzky, D., Cooper, D. (eds) The Brain-Dead Organ Donor. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4304-9_27

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4304-9_27

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-4303-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-4304-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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