An Ethical Debate: Transplantation and interventional ventilation on the intensive therapy unit

In the United Kingdom there is a perceived shortfall of beds in intensive therapy units and debate among medical staff about appropriate use of resources. 7 There is concern that in a proportion of cases interventional ventilation may prevent brainstem death but allow survival of the potential donor...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BMJ 1995-03, Vol.310 (6981), p.716-717
Main Author: Willatts, Sheila M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Medical prognosis
Patients
Transplants & implants
Ventilation
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Summary:In the United Kingdom there is a perceived shortfall of beds in intensive therapy units and debate among medical staff about appropriate use of resources. 7 There is concern that in a proportion of cases interventional ventilation may prevent brainstem death but allow survival of the potential donor in a persistent vegetative state. 8 A study is under way to quantify the extent of persistent vegetative state without effecting the Exeter protocol. 9 Emotional problems may arise in nursing and other staff caring for patients with a hopeless prognosis. In countries such as Japan, where the law forbids removal of organs from brainstem dead patients, living related donors are often used for kidney and segmental liver and lung transplantation.
ISSN:0959-8138
1468-5833
DOI:10.1136/bmj.310.6981.716