Detection and medical management of the deceased donor in brain death

Resumen

Solid organ transplantation has been incorporated into the treatment of patients with a wide variety of clinical conditions. The lack of adequate screening of donors as well as their inadequate medical management is a relevant factor for the occurrence of the current great lack of solid organs available for transplantation in our country. This article presents a limited review of the terms usually used and then refers primarily to deceased brain-dead donors (DFME). Emphasis is placed on the latest national figures, the ways we have to predict the generating capacity of potential donors, how and where to detect them, the main strategies to increase their detection, and the pathophysiological aspects underlying this particular condition.