Organ and tissue procurement in the acute care setting: principles and practice--Part 1

The specialty of organ transplantation has grown tremendously during the past decade. With the advent of cyclosporine, artificial organs, and organ-assist devices, the possibility of suitable patients with end-stage organ disease becoming successful transplant recipients has increased dramatically. Consequently, the need for donor organs has risen. The greatest source of potential organ-tissue donors exists in the acute care setting (ie, emergency departments and intensive care units). To meet the need for this increasing demand, emergency physicians must become familiar with the techniques of procurement. Part 1 defines the problem of procurement and presents financial, historic, organizational, legal, and psychosocial aspects of organ-tissue procurement. A synopsis of brain death concludes the discussion. Part 2 (February 1990) presents aspects of the evaluation, selection, maintenance, and management of the organ-tissue donor. Disease transmission and controversial issues in organ-tissue procurement also are discussed.