Related Experiment Videos
Organ transplantation from donor who died of cyanide poisoning: a case report
D K Ravishankar1, S H Kashi, F T Lam
1Department of Surgery, Walsgrave Hospital, Coventry, UK.
Abstract:
Shortage of donor organs has become on of the most important limiting factors in the field of transplantation. Suitability of organs from patients dying from poisoning is an unexplored area. This is because of the suspicion that the organs, in particular the liver and the kidneys, might have been irreversibly damaged by the poison. We report a case of cyanide poisoning in which the kidneys and corneas were harvested after the level of poison fell to below lethal concentration. These organs were later transplanted without any evidence of adverse effects at follow-up.
Insights
Donor organs are scarce, limiting transplantation. Kidneys and corneas from a cyanide poisoning victim were successfully transplanted after poison levels decreased, showing potential for organ donation in poisoning cases.
Area of Science:
- Transplantation immunology
- Toxicology
- Organ viability assessment
Background:
- The critical shortage of donor organs significantly impedes organ transplantation worldwide.
- The potential use of organs from deceased individuals with toxic exposures, particularly poisoning, remains largely unexplored due to concerns about irreversible organ damage.
- Assessing organ suitability after poisoning requires careful consideration of the toxic agent and its concentration.
Observation:
- A case of fatal cyanide poisoning was reported.
- Following a decrease in blood cyanide levels to sub-lethal concentrations, organ procurement was initiated.
- Kidneys and corneas were successfully harvested from the donor.
Findings:
- Transplantation of the harvested kidneys and corneas was performed.
- Post-transplant follow-up revealed no adverse effects or signs of organ damage related to the prior cyanide exposure.
- This suggests that organs from certain poisoning cases may be viable for transplantation.
Implications:
- This case challenges the assumption that poisoning invariably renders organs unsuitable for transplantation.
- It opens a potential new avenue for increasing the donor organ pool, addressing the organ shortage.
- Further research is warranted to establish protocols for evaluating and utilizing organs from donors with toxic exposures.