The role of thyroid hormone administration in potential organ donors.
OBJECTIVE
Levothyroxine sodium therapy should be used in brain-dead potential organ donors to reverse hemodynamic instability and to prevent cardiovascular collapse, leading to more available organs for transplantation.


METHODS
Prospective, before and after clinical study.


METHODS
A surgical intensive care unit of an academic county hospital.


METHODS
During a 12-month period (September 1, 1999, through August 31, 2000), we evaluated 19 hemodynamically unstable patients with traumatic and nontraumatic intracranial lesions, who were candidates for organ donation following brain death declaration.


METHODS
All patients were resuscitated aggressively for organ preservation by fluids, inotropic agents, and vasopressors. If, despite all measures, the patients remained hemodynamically unstable, a bolus of 1 ampule of 50% dextrose, 2 g of methylprednisolone sodium succinate, 20 U of insulin, and 20 microg of levothyroxine sodium was administered, followed by a continuous levothyroxine sodium infusion at 10 microg/h.


RESULTS
There was a significant reduction in the total vasopressor requirement after levothyroxine therapy (mean +/- SD, 11.1 +/- 0.9 microg/kg per minute vs 6.4 +/- 1.4 microg/kg per minute, P =.02). Ten patients (53%) had complete discontinuation of vasopressors. There were no failures to reach organ donation due to cardiopulmonary arrest.


CONCLUSIONS
Levothyroxine therapy plays an important role in the management of hemodynamically unstable potential organ donors by decreasing vasopressor requirements and preventing cardiovascular collapse. This may result in an increase in the quantity and quality of organs available for transplantation.
Salim
A
A
Department of Surgery, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, USA.
Vassiliu
P
P
Velmahos
G C
GC
Sava
J
J
Murray
J A
JA
Belzberg
H
H
Asensio
J A
JA
Demetriades
D
D
D000328:Adult; D001926:Brain Death; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009926:Organ Preservation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012151:Resuscitation; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D014019:Tissue Donors; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D013974:Thyroxine