[Kidney procurement from a heart-arrest donor]

Brain death occurred in a 47-year-old head trauma patient following 5 days of intensive care. The procedure for multiple organ procurement was initiated. Irreversible cardiac arrest had occurred during the period in the surgical intensive therapy unit. External cardiac massage and mechanical ventilation were maintained until in situ cooling of the kidneys was achieved. The patient was taken to the operating room for nephrectomy. Both kidneys were transplanted with a favorable outcome. Procurement of kidneys from non-heart-beating donors could increase the number of available grafts for transplantation.