title: [Adequate preservation of organs in brain-dead patients with a view to transplantation].
abstract: There exists a shortage of donor organs. Inadequate medical treatment of brain-dead patients results in one-third of the available organs not being suitable for transplantation. Adequate preservation of organs in brain-dead patients increases the supply and quality of donor organs. This preservation comprises the following measures: management of hypotension with a view to adequate perfusion of the organs (administration of fluid, if necessary erythrocytes, and of sympathicomimetic agents); adjustment of artificial respiration to the reduced carbon dioxide production in the tissues (lowering the respiratory minute volume) and to desired oxygenation (positive end-expiratory pressure, increase of the proportion of oxygen in the inhaled air, lengthening of the inspiration time); preventing excessive cooling of the body of the brain-dead patient due to failure of the temperature regulation (heating blanket, heating mattress, warming infusion fluids and inhaled air); treatment of diabetes insipidus in hypophyseal insufficiency (intravenous desmopressin); prevention and treatment on infections (antibiotics, bronchial toilet, variation of position).
authors.affiliation: St. Elisabeth Ziekenhuis, afd. Intensive Care, Tilburg.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Speelberg
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: van Puyenbroek
mesh_terms: D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D001926:Brain Death / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002102:Cadaver; D006801:Humans; D009926:Organ Preservation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D012119:Respiration; D014019:Tissue Donors