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Updated: May 6, 2026
07:08
A High-Fidelity Porcine Model of Orthotopic Heart Transplantation Following Donation after Circulatory Death
Published on: June 6, 2025
793
Organ donation after circulatory death: an update
Murray J Blackstock1, David C Ray
1aDepartment of Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Western General Hospital bDepartment of Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Summary
Organ donation faces a global shortage. Donation after circulatory death (DCD) has surged in the UK, increasing organ availability, particularly kidneys, though challenges remain.
Area of Science:
- Transplantation Medicine
- Organ Donation Research
Background:
- Global organ transplant waiting lists highlight a critical shortage of available organs.
- Donation after circulatory death (DCD) is a key strategy to increase organ donor numbers and improve transplant rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the trends and outcomes of organ donation after circulatory death (DCD) in the UK.
- To examine the implications and challenges associated with the rise of DCD donation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of DCD donor numbers in the UK from 2001 to 2010.
- Review of organ types transplanted from DCD donors.
- Discussion of ethical and clinical considerations related to DCD.
Main Results:
- DCD donors in the UK saw an 808% increase between 2001 and 2010.
- Kidneys are the most commonly transplanted organs from DCD donors, with growing experience in liver, lung, and pancreas.
- Transplantation outcomes from DCD donors are generally encouraging, especially for kidney transplants.
Conclusions:
- The significant increase in DCD donation is vital for addressing organ shortages.
- The rise of DCD necessitates careful consideration of associated ethical issues, including the dead donor rule and clinical conflicts of interest.
- Continued research and standardized practices are needed to optimize DCD donation and transplantation globally.
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