Skip to main content

Table 5 Items described in the protocols

From: Variability in protocols on donation after circulatory death in Europe

Country

Criteria for determination of death and diagnostic procedures

Death determined by

No-touch time (minutes)

Preservation method

Austria

Asystole, not specified

Treating physician with jus practicandi

10

Laparotomy with direct cannulation

Belgium

Cardiorespiratory criteria, according to most recent standarda

Three independent physicians

5

Laparotomy with direct cannulation

Czech Republicb

Not described

Independent physician, not involved in donation

10

DBTL catheter

France

Cardiorespiratory criteria, unconsciousness, absence of brainstem reflexes. ECG

Independent physician, not involved in donation

5

nECMO, DBTL catheter

Italy

Asystole, isoelectric ECG to confirm

Treating physician

20

nECMO

Latviab

Not described

Intensivist

15

Laparotomy with direct cannulation, DBTL catheter

The Netherlands

Cardiocirculatory arrest, not specified

Treating physician

5

Laparotomy with direct cannulation, DBTL catheter

United Kingdoma

Cardiocirculatory arrest, unconsciousness. Intra-arterial pressure monitoring, ECG during 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, absence of brainstem reflexes confirmed

Treating physician

5

Laparotomy with direct cannulation, DBTL catheter

Spain

Asystole, apnea, no response to stimuli. ECG to confirm

Treating physician

5

ECMO, nECMO, DBTL catheter

Switzerland

Lege artis, referred to specific guidelines, TTE to confirm asystole

Two independent physicians

10

Laparotomy with direct cannulation

  1. DBTL, double balloon, triple lumen; ECG, electrocardiogram; ECMO, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; nECMO, normothermic extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; TTE, transthoracic echocardiogram.
  2. aVariation in regional protocols. bDonation after circulatory death not described in a protocol.