Uncontrolled Donation After Circulatory Determination of Death (uDCDD): A Potential Solution to the Shortage of Organs in Quebec?

While transplantation has become the definitive treatment for many people suffering end-stage organ failure, demand exceeds supply. For many years, donation after neurological death represented the principal source of organs for transplantation. In the last decade, prevention measures, improvements in neurocritical care, and decompressive craniectomy have led to a significant decrease in the number of non-directed donors (NDDs). In such situations, alternative sources for organ donation must be identified. Cardiac-arrest patients could provide a solution to this organ shortage. Patients who have experienced unexpected in or out of hospital cardiopulmonary arrest could become organ donors. Organ donation following uncontrolled cardiocirculatory death is currently practiced in many European countries. However, in Canada, it's not yet authorized. Yet, each deceased could save up to four lives. The purpose of this study is to determine the organ potential for a cohort of patient who had died from a cardiopulmonary arrest at the CHUS in 2015 and assess the effect of the implementation of a uDCD program on the number of additional donors.