Non-Donors of Organs and Tissues Due to Medical Refusal in a Transplant Referral Service

Abstract

Background: Obtaining organs for transplants through a deceased donor occurs exclusively through donation. However, some open protocols with potential donors do not become effective donors due to medical refusal. Our aim was to identify the profile of non-donors of organs and tissues due to medical refusal in a state reference service for transplants.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection from medical records of patients who died and had a protocol opened to evaluate brain death and procurement of organs and tissues in 2019.

Results: The sample consisted of 27 patients, the majority of whom were female, aged over 71 years, had primary education, and were married. The main causes of medical refusal were age above the recommended age and septicemia. Brain death was mostly confirmed within 12 hours, and the main cause of hospitalization was a vascular event.

Conclusions: Identifying the profile of non-donors due to medical refusal is necessary for services to identify possible misattributed medical contraindications and thus contribute to reducing the disproportion between supply and demand for organs and tissues for transplants.