Very old patients with spontaneous cerebral hemorrhage are an important group of potential organ donors

Abstract

IN RECENT YEARS, advanced age is no longer a contraindication for becoming a hepatic or renal donors. Incidence of severe nontraumatic cerebral hemor rhage is several times higher in elder populations that in younger ones. Nevertheless, and because of their poor prognosis, most of those patients are not submitted to a mechanical ventilatory support which, in turn, makes it impossible to diagnosis brain death and, therefore, there is no possibility to evaluate them as potential donors. The goal of this study was to evaluate the number, characteristics, and evolution of patients who have spontaneous cerebral hemorrhage who are not submitted to a mechanical respiratory support in our institution during a 5-month period.

Extra-axial hematoma Subarachnoid hemorrhage Intraparenchymal hemorrhagerhage is several times higher in elder populations that inyounger ones. Nevertheless, and because of their poor prognosis, most of those patients are not submitted to a mechanical ventilatory support which, in turn, makes it impossible to diagnosis brain death and, therefore, there is no possibility to evaluate them as potential donors. The goal of this study was to evaluate the number, characteristics, and evolution of patients who have spontaneous cerebral hemorrhage who are not submitted to a mechanical respiratory support in our institution during a 5-month period.