Demographics and clinical characteristics of organ donors after fatal poisoning in Poland from 2020 to 2024.

INTRODUCTION

Transplanted organs after fatal poisoning are probably underused. We describe the demographics and clinical characteristics of organ donors after fatal poisoning in Poland.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed organ donors whose deaths were attributed to poisoning from 2020 to 2024.

RESULTS

There were 63 donors with a median age of 42 years. Forty-one were males. Methanol was the leading poisoning cause of death (30 donors) and carbon monoxide was the second most frequent cause of death (six donors). Kidneys and livers were the most frequently retrieved organs.

DISCUSSION: Organ donors who died from poisoning represent an important but often underutilized source for transplantation. Despite the potential for toxic organ damage, the viability of organs from these donors remains high. Optimizing identification processes and public awareness could enhance their contribution to addressing the ongoing shortage.

CONCLUSIONS

Deceased donors after poisoning are a vital, yet neglected source of organ transplantations in Poland.