An Introduction to the Electrocardiogram during Adult Donor Care

Abstract

Organ procurement coordinators use continuous monitoring of the electrocardiographic rhythm from the donor's heart during bedside care. Similarly, organ procurement coordinators are often asked to report interpretations of 12-lead electrocardiograms provided by hospital cardiologists. To aid in these important functions, this article describes the biochemical bases of electrocardiograms and alterations in electrocardiograms caused by common electrolyte disorders, hypothermia, and myocardial ischemia that may occur during donor care.