Solid organ procurement from donors with carbon monoxide poisoning and/or burn--a systematic review

Traditionally, carbon monoxide poisoning and/or burn are considered contraindications to organ procurement. Previously reported cases have shown mixed results and many have been redundantly reported in the literature.

We performed a systematic review of all reported cases of organ transplantation procured from donors with carbon monoxide poisoning and/or burn to investigate whether these patients are suitable donors for solid organ transplantations.

Organ survival rates of reported organs were high (86%). All organs procured from donors with carbon monoxide poisoning and burn survived during follow-up. Mean donors' peak carbon monoxide levels were comparable for organs surviving or failing during follow-up (31 ± 2.7 vs. 29 ± 26.8; p=0.95). Eighty-seven per cent of organs procured from donors supported with inotropes or vasopressors prior to organ procurement and 91% of organs procured from donors who were cardiopulmonary resuscitated prior to organ procurement survived during follow-up.

Burn, carbon monoxide poisoning, high peak carbon monoxide-levels, use of inotropes or vasopressors or cardiopulmonary resuscitation prior to procurement are not contraindications for organ procurement and transplantation. New guidelines for burn units defining the special requirements for organ procurement from donors with carbon monoxide poisoning and/or burn are needed to raise the awareness for potential organ donors and to ultimately increase the donor pool and save patients' lives.