Variability in criteria for death determination in the intensive care unit
Authors' conclusion
In this study, we have described practices for death determination by circulatory criteria both within and between countries. Though some variability exists, we are reassured that appropriate criteria are almost always used in the context of organ donation. In particular, the use of continuous ABP monitoring in DCD was consistent.
Study context
- Population
- ICU patients with death determination by circulatory criteria at 16 hospitals in Canada, 3 in the Czech Republic and 1 in the Netherlandsmean age 64 (SD 15) years
- Participants
- 583 patients
- Outcome
- Practices for death determination by circulatory criteria with and without organ donation (checklist for the determination of death questionnaire)
Methodological detailsmulticentre, international
- Multicentre
- International
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Absent heart sounds by auscultation
81.8%
Flat continuous arterial BP (arterial blood pressure (ABP)) tracing
77.0%
Flat ECG tracing
73.2%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Diagnostic tests used in patients who underwent DCD
- Flat continuous ABP tracing
- 94%
- Absent pulse oximetry
- 85%
- Absent palpable pulse
- 77%
- N = 52
Proceeded with donation after death determination by circulatory criteria (DCD)
- Proceeded with DCD
- 52 (8.9%)
Patients by country
- Canada
- 314 (54.0%)
- Czech Republic
- 230 (39.5%)
- Netherlands
- 38 (6.5%)
Original publication
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