Management of the Potential Lung Donor

Abstract

The use of donor management protocols has significantly improved recovery rates; however, the inherent instability of lungs after death results in low utilization rates of potential donor lungs. Donor lungs are susceptible to direct trauma, aspiration, neurogenic edema, ventilator-associated barotrauma, and ventilator-associated pneumonia. After irreversible brain injury and determination of futility of care, the goal of medical management of the donor shifts to maintaining hemodynamic stability and maximizing the likelihood of successful organ recovery.

Keywords: COVID donor screening; Deceased donor evaluation for SARS-CoV-2; Donation after circulatory determination of death; Donation after neurologic determination of death; Intensive care management of donor; Lung donor management; Lung-protective ventilation; Organ donation.