Potential availability of cadaver organs for transplantation.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the potential number of cadaver kidney donors by applying defined donor criteria to people dying in hospital.


METHODS
Prospective study of all deaths occurring in 21 hospitals from 1 September 1988 to 31 August 1989. Questionnaires were administered to medical and nursing staff and families of potential donors aged 1-69.


METHODS
Acute care hospitals in Gwent, South Glamorgan, Mid Glamorgan, West Glamorgan, Pembrokeshire, and East Dyfed health authorities, serving a population of 2.2 million.


METHODS
Cause of death, age, ventilation at time of death, diagnosis of brain death, and consideration of consent.


RESULTS
Adequate data were available for 9840 of 10,095 hospital deaths (97.5% coverage). 188 patients aged 0-69 were identified as potential organ donors (widest definition), and of these 108 died without being ventilated at the time of death. Tests of brain stem death were formally completed in 57 cases, and organ donation was considered by the families of 47 of these potential donors. 26 patients became organ donors. Patients aged 50-69 with stroke were less likely to be ventilated than those aged less than or equal to 49 (21/96 v 24/34). Families of potential donors aged 20-39 were least likely to give permission.


CONCLUSIONS
The supply of donor organs (specifically kidneys) could be increased by altering the management of patients aged 50-69 dying of severe cerebrovascular disease in general medical wards, in particular by increasing the proportion ventilated. The ethics of elective ventilation for the purposes of organ donation require discussion.
Salih
M A
MA
Health Care Evaluation Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health Medicine, Bristol.
Harvey
I
I
Frankel
S
S
Coupe
D J
DJ
Webb
M
M
Cripps
H A
HA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002102:Cadaver; D002423:Cause of Death; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006761:Hospitals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D033242:Minors; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014852:Wales / Q000453:epidemiology