Organ Procurement

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Brain Death & Declaration - Grim Gateway

  • Definition: Irreversible cessation of all brain functions, including brainstem. Legal death, enabling organ donation.
  • Prerequisites (THOTA, India):
    • Known irreversible brain damage.
    • No hypothermia (core temp >32°C), drug intoxication, NMBs, severe metabolic issues.
  • Clinical Examination (Two Certifications, $\ge$6h apart, 4 Doctors):
    • Coma (GCS 3).
    • Absent brainstem reflexes: pupillary (>4mm, fixed), corneal, oculo-cephalic, oculo-vestibular (50ml ice water), gag, cough.
    • Apnea Test: No respiratory effort. $PaCO_2$ $\ge$60 mmHg or $\uparrow$20 mmHg from baseline after 8-10 min off vent ($PaO_2$ >200 mmHg pre-test).

⭐ Apnea test is the most critical confirmatory test for brainstem death; mandatory unless contraindicated.

Tools for brainstem reflex examination

Donor Evaluation & Types - Giver's Profile

  • Donor Types & Key Differences:

    FeatureLiving Donor (LD)Deceased Donor (DD)
    SourceHealthy (related/unrelated per THOA)Brainstem Death (DBD) / Circulatory Death (DCD)
    ConsentDonor's informed consentFamily consent / Donor pledge (THOA)
    OrgansKidney, part of liver/lungMultiple organs & tissues
    • DBD: Heart-beating (common). DCD: Non-heart-beating (Maastricht types).
  • General Evaluation (All Donors):

    • Age: Generally <70 years; paediatric for paediatric.
    • ABO compatibility: Mandatory. HLA typing (kidney, pancreas).
    • Contraindications: Active sepsis, HIV (exceptions evolving), most metastatic cancers.
    • Governed by THOA, 1994.

⭐ Brainstem death in India: certified by four medical experts (one neuro specialist) per THOA.

Organ Retrieval & Preservation - Precious Cargo Care

  • Brain Death Criteria: Irreversible coma, absent brainstem reflexes, positive apnea test.
  • Donor Optimization: Maintain normotension, normothermia, euvolemia; correct coagulopathy & electrolyte imbalance.
  • Retrieval Sequence (MOR):
    • Thoracic organs (Heart, Lungs) first.
    • Abdominal: Liver → Pancreas → Kidneys.
    • Aorta cannulation & in-situ cold perfusion.
  • Preservation Solutions:
    • University of Wisconsin (UW): Standard for liver, pancreas, kidney. 📌 UW: "HAGAR" (HES, Allopurinol, Glutathione, Adenosine, Raffinose).
    • HTK (Custodiol): For heart, kidney, liver. Low viscosity, rapid cooling.
    • Collins/Euro-Collins: Older, mainly for kidneys.
  • Ischemia Times:
    • Warm Ischemia: Blood supply cessation to cold perfusion. Minimize!
    • Cold Ischemia: Cold perfusion to reperfusion. Organ preservation methods comparison
    • Heart: 4-6 hrs
    • Lungs: 6-8 hrs
    • Liver: 8-12 hrs
    • Pancreas: 12-18 hrs
    • Kidneys: 24-36 hrs

⭐ The "no-touch" technique during liver retrieval, minimizing manipulation before flush, is crucial for graft viability and reducing primary non-function risk.

  • THOTA Act, 1994 (Amended 2011): India's primary legislation.
    • Regulates removal, storage, transplantation of human organs/tissues.
    • Aims to prevent commercial dealings; defines brain-stem death.
    • Establishes Appropriate Authorities (AA) & Advisory Committees.
  • Donor Categories & Consent:
    • Living Donors: Near-relatives (spouse, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren). Others: AA approval for altruism.
    • Deceased Donors (Brain-Stem Death): Consent from family/lawful possessor. Certified by four doctors (Form 10).
  • NOTTO (National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization):
    • Apex national body: coordination, networking, procurement, allocation, registry.

⭐ Brain-stem death certification (THOTA Form 10) requires four medical experts: treating physician, independent specialist, neurologist/neurosurgeon, and medical head of hospital/nominee.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Brainstem death declaration is paramount for deceased donor procurement.
  • THOA (Transplantation of Human Organs Act) is India's legal framework.
  • Critical donor maintenance: MAP >65 mmHg, UO >1 ml/kg/hr.
  • Cold ischemia times differ: Kidney 24-36 hrs, Liver 8-12 hrs, Heart 4-6 hrs.
  • Mandatory informed consent: from next-of-kin (deceased) or donor (living).
  • NOTTO: India's apex body for organ donation and transplantation.
  • Organ allocation prioritizes blood group, HLA match, urgency, and wait time.
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Practice Questions: Organ Procurement

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Which kidney is taken during donor transplantation? Why? _____

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Which kidney is taken during donor transplantation? Why? _____

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