Analysis of data from brain death protocols and organ donation performed in the Northern Minas Gerais state from January 2018 to January 2019

Abstract

Introduction: Brain death (BD) is defined as the total and irreversible cessation of all activities of the brain stem and brain hemispheres. In Brazil, the diagnosis of this condition is achieved by using two physical examinations and a complementary test. The confirmation of brain death and the multiple organ donation process are complex, ,and it is important that new studies be made on that issue, mainly in the Brazilian reality. Purpose: To analyze data of brain death and also related to organs donations in hospital Santa Casa de Montes Claros, Minas Gerais state. Methods: It was attained a quantitative, descriptive, retrospective research based on the data collection in hospital Santa Casa de Montes Claros, Minas Gerais state. By using the review of patient registries, we analyzed each patient suspected of brain death from January 2018 to January 2019, Data was organized in a Excel sheet with following variables: gender, age, cause of death, type of complementary exam used in the brain death protocol, time of conclusion of brain death protocol, contraindications for organ donation, cause of refusal from the family to organ donation, and the type and number of organs donated to transplants. Results: There was 92 brain-dead suspected cases, from these only 42 protocols of brain death was concluded with 18 multiple organ donations, and 13 family refusal. Conclusion: In the present study, it was possible to conclude that the major cause for brain death was hemorrhagic stroke; in addition, 48% brain-dead cases suspected were contraindicated to donation, with 42% family refusal from potential organ donors.