Brain Death vs Cardiac Death

[Guest guest]

Harvest of organs from a person who has died because of Cardiac Death has just

been accepted in the past few years by some centers. The organs are sometimes

not as viable because of the loss of blood flow/oxygen to the organs when the

heart stops beating.

The test that are done to determine Brain death are very extensive. Often people

who are declared brain dead have been on several " body support " systems. That

has kept the body breathing, the blood pressure in a range that keeps the

kidneys working etc.

As a nurse I have set through the training for this situation and I can tell you

that figuring out if the pt is brain dead is done carefully, thoughtfully and

often takes days or longer. If any sign of viability is found than the pt is

continued on support. They don't just " pull the plug " so to say.

It is up to each person to prayfully come to peace with themself and God about

death, transplant, etc. After all in the end peace with ourself and peace with

God is what life is all about.

Just some rambling thoughts.

PSC 5/07 Listed

[Guest guest]

It is coming full circle. Back in the day...well, let's just say I'm old enough to remember when cardiac death was pretty much the only death accepted for organ donation - and the MAJOR controversy involved in finally coming to terms with death being defined for medical and legal purposes as something other than the cessation of circulation and respiration. Because of the issues you mention, that meant that certain organs were virtually never available (the heart, for example) and others were only rarely available.Recently, it was presumed that organs from individuals who suffered cardiac death were not viable - and organs from those potential donors virtually disappeared.Even more recently, as you pointed out, many centers are now evaluating potential donors on a case

by case (or organ by organ) basis - and are again accepting some organs from donors who have suffered cardiac death. , Mom to 18 yo daughter UC 6/95, PSC 3/09To: Sent: Friday, April 10, 2009 7:43:05 PMSubject: Brain Death vs Cardiac Death

Harvest of organs from a person who has died because of Cardiac Death has just been accepted in the past few years by some centers. The organs are sometimes not as viable because of the loss of blood flow/oxygen to the organs when the heart stops beating.

The test that are done to determine Brain death are very extensive. Often people who are declared brain dead have been on several "body support" systems. That has kept the body breathing, the blood pressure in a range that keeps the kidneys working etc.

As a nurse I have set through the training for this situation and I can tell you that figuring out if the pt is brain dead is done carefully, thoughtfully and often takes days or longer. If any sign of viability is found than the pt is continued on support. They don't just "pull the plug" so to say.

It is up to each person to prayfully come to peace with themself and God about death, transplant, etc. After all in the end peace with ourself and peace with God is what life is all about.

Just some rambling thoughts.

PSC 5/07 Listed

[Guest guest]

It is coming full circle. Back in the day...well, let's just say I'm old enough to remember when cardiac death was pretty much the only death accepted for organ donation - and the MAJOR controversy involved in finally coming to terms with death being defined for medical and legal purposes as something other than the cessation of circulation and respiration. Because of the issues you mention, that meant that certain organs were virtually never available (the heart, for example) and others were only rarely available.Recently, it was presumed that organs from individuals who suffered cardiac death were not viable - and organs from those potential donors virtually disappeared.Even more recently, as you pointed out, many centers are now evaluating potential donors on a case

by case (or organ by organ) basis - and are again accepting some organs from donors who have suffered cardiac death. , Mom to 18 yo daughter UC 6/95, PSC 3/09To: Sent: Friday, April 10, 2009 7:43:05 PMSubject: Brain Death vs Cardiac Death

Harvest of organs from a person who has died because of Cardiac Death has just been accepted in the past few years by some centers. The organs are sometimes not as viable because of the loss of blood flow/oxygen to the organs when the heart stops beating.

The test that are done to determine Brain death are very extensive. Often people who are declared brain dead have been on several "body support" systems. That has kept the body breathing, the blood pressure in a range that keeps the kidneys working etc.

As a nurse I have set through the training for this situation and I can tell you that figuring out if the pt is brain dead is done carefully, thoughtfully and often takes days or longer. If any sign of viability is found than the pt is continued on support. They don't just "pull the plug" so to say.

It is up to each person to prayfully come to peace with themself and God about death, transplant, etc. After all in the end peace with ourself and peace with God is what life is all about.

Just some rambling thoughts.

PSC 5/07 Listed

[Guest guest]

It is coming full circle. Back in the day...well, let's just say I'm old enough to remember when cardiac death was pretty much the only death accepted for organ donation - and the MAJOR controversy involved in finally coming to terms with death being defined for medical and legal purposes as something other than the cessation of circulation and respiration. Because of the issues you mention, that meant that certain organs were virtually never available (the heart, for example) and others were only rarely available.Recently, it was presumed that organs from individuals who suffered cardiac death were not viable - and organs from those potential donors virtually disappeared.Even more recently, as you pointed out, many centers are now evaluating potential donors on a case

by case (or organ by organ) basis - and are again accepting some organs from donors who have suffered cardiac death. , Mom to 18 yo daughter UC 6/95, PSC 3/09To: Sent: Friday, April 10, 2009 7:43:05 PMSubject: Brain Death vs Cardiac Death

Harvest of organs from a person who has died because of Cardiac Death has just been accepted in the past few years by some centers. The organs are sometimes not as viable because of the loss of blood flow/oxygen to the organs when the heart stops beating.

The test that are done to determine Brain death are very extensive. Often people who are declared brain dead have been on several "body support" systems. That has kept the body breathing, the blood pressure in a range that keeps the kidneys working etc.

As a nurse I have set through the training for this situation and I can tell you that figuring out if the pt is brain dead is done carefully, thoughtfully and often takes days or longer. If any sign of viability is found than the pt is continued on support. They don't just "pull the plug" so to say.

It is up to each person to prayfully come to peace with themself and God about death, transplant, etc. After all in the end peace with ourself and peace with God is what life is all about.

Just some rambling thoughts.

PSC 5/07 Listed