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Canadian Journal of Anesthesia/Journal canadien d'anesthésie

Published in:

01-03-2020 | Reports of Original Investigations

Attitudes of healthcare providers towards cardiac donation after circulatory determination of death: a Canadian nation-wide survey

Authors: Kimia Honarmand, MD, MSc, Jeanna Parsons Leigh, PhD, John Basmaji, MD, Claudio M. Martin, MSc, MD, Robert Sibbald, MSc, Dave Nagpal, MD, MSc, Vince Lau, MD, Fran Priestap, MSc, Sabe De, MD, Andrew Healey, MD, Sonny Dhanani, MD, Matthew J. Weiss, MD, Sam Shemie, MD, Ian M. Ball, MD, MSc

Published in: Canadian Journal of Anesthesia/Journal canadien d'anesthésie | Issue 3/2020

Abstract

Purpose

The number of patients on cardiac transplant waitlists exceeds the number of available donor organs. Cardiac donation is currently limited to those declared dead by neurologic criteria in all but three countries. Cardiac donation after circulatory determination of death (cardiac DCDD) can be conducted using direct procurement and perfusion (DPP) or normothermic regional perfusion (NRP). Implementation of cardiac DCDD in many countries has been slowed by ethical debates within the donation and transplantation community. We conducted a national survey to determine the perceptions of healthcare providers regarding cardiac DCDD.

Methods

We conducted an electronic survey of 398 healthcare providers who are involved in the management of heart donors and/or heart transplant recipients in Canada (226 nurses, 82 critical care physicians, 31 donation specialists, and 59 transplant specialists). Our primary outcomes were their attitudes towards and concerns regarding cardiac DCDD protocols and their implementation in Canada. We distributed the survey electronically through several Canadian donation and transplantation organizations.

Results

We identified that 361 of 391 respondents (92.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 89.6 to 95.1) believed that DPP is acceptable, and 329 of 377 respondents (87.3%; 95% CI, 83.9 to 90.7) supported its implementation in Canada. We found that 301 of 384 respondents (78.4%; 95% CI, 74.2 to 82.6) believed that NRP is acceptable and 266 of 377 respondents (70.6%; 95% CI, 66.0 to 75.2) supported its implementation in Canada.

Conclusion

This is the first survey describing the attitudes of healthcare providers towards cardiac DCDD. We identified widespread support for cardiac DCDD and its implementation in Canada among Canadian healthcare providers within the organ donation and transplantation community in Canada.

Available only for authorised users

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Title: Attitudes of healthcare providers towards cardiac donation after circulatory determination of death: a Canadian nation-wide survey
Authors: Kimia Honarmand, MD, MSc
Jeanna Parsons Leigh, PhD
John Basmaji, MD
Claudio M. Martin, MSc, MD
Robert Sibbald, MSc
Dave Nagpal, MD, MSc
Vince Lau, MD
Fran Priestap, MSc
Sabe De, MD
Andrew Healey, MD
Sonny Dhanani, MD
Matthew J. Weiss, MD
Sam Shemie, MD
Ian M. Ball, MD, MSc
Publication date: 01-03-2020
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Published in: Canadian Journal of Anesthesia/Journal canadien d'anesthésie / Issue 3/2020
Print ISSN: 0832-610X
Electronic ISSN: 1496-8975
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12630-019-01559-6

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Attitudes of healthcare providers towards cardiac donation after circulatory determination of death: a Canadian nation-wide survey

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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