Organ protective effect of ECMO for donors after brain death presented with hemodynamic instability / 中华器官移植杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To examine the benefits of ECMO for potential organ donors with hemodynamic instability after brain death.Methods Three brain-dead potential donors who presented with hemodynamic instability despite maximal medical management,finished a declaration of brain death,that were supported by extracorporeal circulation membrane oxygenation (ECMO).Results Donor organs,including six kidneys,and two livers,were harvested from the three donors under ECMO support,leading to 8 successful transplantations.The organs functioned well and the recipients made full recoveries.Conclusion Our experience indicates that ECMO allows for the maintenance of abdominal organ tissue perfusion without warm ischemia before organ procurement,providing sufficient time for safe organ donation procedures and reducing the risk of unpredictable cardiac arrest that could result in the donor death and graft loss.