KIDNEY PROCUREMENT FROM A NON-HEART-BEATI NG DONOR

Brain death occurred in a 47-year-old head trauma patient following 5 days of intensive care. The procedure for multiple organ procurement w as initiated. irreversible cardiac arrest had occurred during the peri od in the surgical intensive therapy unit. External cardiac massage an d mechanical ventilation were maintained until in situ cooling of the kidneys was achieved. The patient was taken to the operating room for nephrectomy. Both kidneys were transplanted with a favourable outcome. Procurement of kidneys from non-heart-beating donors could increase t he number of available grafts for transplantation. (C) 1998 Elsevier, Paris.