Using the University of Wisconsin Donation After Cardiac Death Evaluation Tool, we were able to predict suitability for donation after cardiac death 83.7% of the time, within a 60-minute period and 74.4% of the time within a 120-minute period. The actual results using the tool were higher when clinical observations were included in the donation after cardiac death evaluation--an overall accuracy of 88.4%.

Using the University of Wisconsin Donation After Cardiac Death Evaluation Tool, we were able to predict suitability for donation after cardiac death 83.7% of the time, within a 60-minute period and 74.4% of the time within a 120-minute period. The actual results using the tool were higher when clinical observations were included in the donation after cardiac death evaluation--an overall accuracy of 88.4%.

The future of deceased donation must include DCD and ex-vivo organ repair if the organ shortage is to be reconciled even partially to the ongoing demand. Although the religious and legal impediments have been overcome to determine brain death, the possibility of DCD has not been addressed. A program of DCD is feasible in all countries with transplantation services. The excellent results following kidney and lung transplantation suggest opportunities of heart and liver transplantation should be the focus of needed DCD accomplishment in the near future.