Tissue donation: outcome of notifications and donors characterization in an organs and tissues procurement service

Abstract

The amount of tissue transplants has increased significantly in the past ten years. The potential donor diagnosed with brain death or cardiac arrest whose family authorized the donation of at least one tissue is considered an effective tissue donor. Purpose: To analyze the outcome of reports on potential donors achieved by the Organ and Tissue Procurement Service in 2011 and 2012 related to the tissue donation and characterizing the effective tissue donors approved during that period. Method: Documental retrospective, descriptive-exploratory research of quantitative approach conducted in an Organ and Tissue Procurement Service in São Paulo through the analysis of reports received along 2011 and 2012 and from medical records of effective tissue donors. Results: From 785 reports of potential donors, 471 (60%) led to interview with the family, and from those reports, 256 (54.3%) attained family consent for the donation, whereby 225 (87.9%) consented to donate at least one tissue. There was predominance of male donors (58.2%) identified as Catholics (39.6%), with mean age of 44.7 years and non-traumatic origin death causes (60%). Tissues most often donated were heart valves (96%), followed by corneas (84%), vessels (55.6%), bone-tendon tissues (45.3%) and skin (43.6%). Conclusion: It was not possible to set a significant relationship between variables of characterization and all tissues donated. Numbers below expectations regarding the tissue donation require educational strategies aimed at the population, and professional training aimed to increase the availability of tissue for transplantation, thus contributing to the increased survival of thousands of people.