[Organ donations in Iceland 1992-2002]

To acquire information of organ donations and organ waiting lists in Iceland 1992-2002, the beginning of an organ procurement system.

Records of all patients treated at the ICU at LSH in Fossvogur 1992-2002 were studied. Information of organ donations at other units and number on organ waiting lists was attained. Results are shown as medians (25th, 75th percentile).

527 patients died at the ward 1992-2002 (48 (45, 52) annually). Of them 68 (13%) were declared deceased because of brain death. Permission for organ procurement was requested from relatives in 50 cases (74% of brain deaths) and was obtained in 30 (60%). Four of these were not suitable as organ donors. Organ donation was denied in 40% of cases and refusal seemed to increase during the period. Potential organ donors that were not recognised as such were 18A (3% of all deaths). During the period six organ donations occurred at others units. The total number of organ donors was 32 (3 (1, 5) annually) in Iceland 1992-2002. Number of organs donated was 109 (11 (4, 15) annually). Each year there were 7 (5, 9) individuals on waiting lists for organs and 3 (2, 5) were transplanted.

87% of organ donations in Iceland come from patients with cerebral haemorrhage, traumatic brain injury or ischaemic stroke. Organ donations in Iceland seem to fulfill the nations need of organs. It is a possible worry that refusal of organ donation by relatives seemed to increase during the period.