Ethical issues and donor numbers

Ornithine Transcarbamylase Deficiency: Diagnostic and Management Challenges in the ICU

“…13 Recognition and diagnosis of OTCD is needed to prevent adverse consequences for potential organ recipients. 14 There are at least three case reports of patients who acquired OTCD following liver transplant from donors with unrecognised OTCD. 14,15 Diagnosis is also essential for relatives as it has potential implications for other family members.…”

“…14 There are at least three case reports of patients who acquired OTCD following liver transplant from donors with unrecognised OTCD. 14,15 Diagnosis is also essential for relatives as it has potential implications for other family members. Management strategies for asymptomatic family members may include: carrying an emergency letter/bracelet indicating that they are at risk of hyperammonaemia, monitoring of blood ammonia levels during intercurrent illnesses, ongoing dietary restriction of protein and supplementation with an essential amino acid formula.…”

Ethical issues and donor numbers

“…We read with interest Dr Cottle and Dr Dean’s correspondence on ethical issues and donor numbers [1]. We congratulate them upon the frankness of their account and the invitation for further debate.…”

Barriers to brainstem death testing and organ donation can be addressed

“…Recent correspondence [1] highlights perceived barriers to successful organ donation when severe neurological injury is caused by or associated with metabolic disturbance, such that clinical testing for brainstem death would be invalidated.…”