Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for the Support of a Potential Organ Donor with a Fatal Brain Injury before Brain Death Determination
10.4266/kjccm.2016.31.2.169
- Author:
Sung Wook CHANG
1
;
Sun HAN
;
Jung Ho KO
;
Jae Wook RYU
Author Information
1. Trauma Center, Dankook University Hospital, Cheonan, Korea.
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
extracorporeal membrane oxygenation;
brain death;
organ donation
- MeSH:
Brain Death;
Brain Injuries;
Brain;
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation;
Humans;
Kidney;
Liver;
Tissue and Organ Procurement;
Tissue Donors
- From:The Korean Journal of Critical Care Medicine
2016;31(2):169-172
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
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.
