Citation

Figueiredo FM, Capaverde FB, Londero GG, Costa MG, Leães PE, Oliveira DM, Garcia CD, Garcia VD. Transplant. Proc. 2007; 39(2): 344-345.

Affiliation

Central de Transplantes do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.transproceed.2007.01.015

PMID

17362725

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: There are few reports in the literature analyzing brain death epidemiology in suicides, or the rate of donation and family authorization in such situations. OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to analyze the frequency of suicide as a cause of brain death and to compare the donation rates among this population with other causes of brain death. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed records from 2627 potential donors between 1988 and 2004. RESULTS: Within that period, 101 (3.8%) cases of brain death were recorded as suicides. The mean age was significantly lower (P < .05) in cases of suicide than for other causes (26.2 + 11.1 vs 34.4 + 16.5 years); there was a male prevalence (76.2% vs 60.8%). As to suicides, the donation rate was significantly higher than in other situations (62.3% vs 43.8%). This was due to a lower rate of negative family responses (17.8% vs 32.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Suicide is a frequent cause of brain death (3.8%), mainly among young men. The donation rate in this group is higher than that due to other causes of death because of a lower negative response rate by the family. The explanation remains to be clarified for such a low refusal rate for organ donation by the relatives of potential donors due to suicide.

Language: en