Profile of effective donors of multiple organs and tissues by the Organ Procurement Organization in a public institution of cardiology

Abstract

Introduction: A study carried out in the Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) of the Institute Dante Pazzanese of Cardiology, aiming to describe the profile of effective donors of organs and tissues. Purpose: To characterize donors between 1998 and 2005, by sex, age, marital status, race, education, cause of brain death (BD), type of notification, notifying sector, legal responsible for the donation, available organ/tissue and later correlating causes of BD to sex and age. Method: Exploratory, descriptive, documentary. Results: Sample included 241 donors, prevailing male in 151 (62.7%) cases, with ages between 7 and 74, 116 (48.1%) single, 174 (72.2%), Caucasian, and 103 (42.7%) with non complete elementary education. Based on total notifications, 205 (85.1%) were notified by the hospital of origin of the potential donor, prevailing the Intensive Care Unit with 123 (51%) cases. Causes of BD were mainly Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) with 94 (39%) cases, and hemorrhagic stroke (HS) with 63 (26.1%) cases. For those responsible for the donation, 118 (49%) cases had a close relative. Most of the harvested organs/tissues were: heart 132 (54.8%), liver 210 (87.1%), kidney 428 (88.8%) and corneas 191 (79.3%). Comparing the causes of BD to sex and age, a higher incidence of stroke in women with 38 (42.2%) cases and mean age of 46.6 years was observed. As to men, there was a prevalence of TBI, 76 (50.7%) cases and injury by fire gun with 24 (16%) cases. Conclusion: Based on the results, the majority were male, single donors, with causes of brain death of trauma and vascular disease. Plus, the low amount of harvested lungs, intestine and pancreas, as well as valves, bones, vessels, skin, muscles and tendons.