A rapid organ recovery program for non-heart-beating donors.

We report a successful method for rapid organ recovery from the non-heart-beating donor, which can open a new resource of organs for transplantation. The RORP is not controversial, is simple in design and execution, and results in kidneys that are viable for transplantation. Special personnel and equipment are needed but are easily incorporated in the overall budget of an OPO or donor hospital. Clearly more research is needed to rebuild ischemically damaged cells ex vivo and to develop new agents/methods to minimize the reperfusion response. When these processes are better understood and managed, the full potential of the NHBD as a donor resource will be fully achieved. We agree with others that the donor shortage could be entirely relieved by routine organ recovery from NHBD trauma victims.