Family Refusal of Heart Valve Donation.

Background: Impairment of the heart valves can occur due to many diseases that cause deterioration of the contractile function and harm the body, making it necessary for the heart valves to be transplanted. This study's objective was to analyze families' refusal to donate heart valves between 2001 and 2020.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in accordance with the Terms of Family Authorization for Donation of Organs and Tissues from patients diagnosed with brain death by an Organ Procurement Organization in the state of São Paulo.

Understanding of Brazilian Nursing Assistants and Technicians of Brain Death.

Background: Brain death (BD) is defined as the total and irreversible cessation of brain functions including the brain stem. The team that assists the patient in this situation is made up of higher-level and technical health professionals. Our objective was to analyze the understanding of nursing assistants and technicians of BD.