Donation after circulatory death: opportunities on the horizon.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Organ transplantation remains the gold standard therapy for many end-organ diseases. The demand for donor organs continues to grow to far exceed supply. This review summarizes recent protocols, procedures, and ethics surrounding the increased utilization of donors after circulatory death for transplantation.

RECENT FINDINGS

An increasing number of centers are utilizing donation after circulatory death, and outcomes are improving. Although outcomes from donors after brain death continue to be the primary source of donation, circulatory death outcomes continue to improve approaching the level of brain death donors.

SUMMARY

Donation after circulatory death offers a real opportunity to narrow the supply and demand issue with organ donation. Outcomes are improving, and protocols continue to evolve.