Outcome following organ removal from poisoned donors in brain death status: a report of 12 cases and review of the literature.

Experience with organ procurement from poisoned donors in brain death status is still limited in comparison with other etiologies. From 1963 to 1993, 2769 grafts (heart 141, kidney 1922, liver 623, pancreas 43) were performed in our University Hospital. Since 1975, among 1174 patients admitted to the ICU for acute poisoning, 12 patients who developed brain death status were considered for organ donation. The toxics involved were: methaqualone (1), benzodiazepines (1), benzodiazepines plus tricyclic antidepressants (2), barbiturates (2), insulin (2), carbon monoxide (1), cyanide (1), methanol (1), and acetaminophen (1). Exclusion criteria for organ removal were applied according to the nature of the toxin and the general criteria used for organ donation. The organs removed were: heart 5, heart valves for graft bank 2, kidneys 22, liver 4, pancreas 2, pancrease islet cells 2. Pertinent follow-up was obtained in 23 of 32 recipients. Immediate outcome was favorable in 20/23 patients (85%). Three patients died either from stroke, heart failure or preexisting encephalopathy. Two patients died from either chronic hepatic or renal graft rejection. None of these events could be directly related to a toxic origin. The one year survival rate of 75% is similar to that observed in the population who received organs from nonpoisoned donors. Organ procurement can be considered in few selected cases of acute poisoning. The accuracy of the diagnosis of irreversible brain damage is essential in this setting.