In view of the shortage of cadaveric organ donors two retrospective studies have been performed to determine the results of transplantation of non-heart-beating (NHB) donor kidneys. Graft and patient survival and renal function in the 89 cases, analyzed in these studies, showed no adverse effects of the use of NHB donor kidneys. The initial graft function was best after in situ cooling of the kidneys, using an intra-aortic double balloon catheter, followed by machine preservation. It is concluded that nephrectomy of NHB donors is worthwhile and that these donors should be included in all organ harvesting programmes.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.