Experience summary on maintenance of organ function in donation after cardiac death donors: a report of 108 cases

Abstract

Objective To explore the maintenance measures for the organs from donation after cardiac death (DCD) so as to improve the quantity and quality of donated organs. Methods Clinical data was collected from 110 potential organ donors who were admitted to the donor-ICU (D-ICU) of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University during May 2015 and May 2016. Efforts were made to improve the organ donation rate by the measures including organization system optimization, multi-center collaboration, process normalization and standardization, formulation of individual plan on maintenance of organ function and adoption innovative measures from our organ transplantation center. Results A total of 338 major organs were procured from 108 donors undergoing DCD, including 95 livers (5 cases were used for split liver transplantation), 212 kidneys, 16 hearts and 15 lungs with a ratio of 3.13 (338/108). The utilization rate of donor organs was improved by application of persistent hemodiafiltration, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and continuous renal replacement therapy according to the potential organ donors′s condition. Conclusion Normative and standardized organ function maintenance measures are favorable for improving organ donation rate, organ procurement rate, and quality of procured organs. Key words: Donation after cardiac death; Potential donors; Maintenance of organ function