Brazilian guidelines for the management of adult potential brain-dead donors

Article type
Authors
Westphal GA1, Teixeira C1, Machado FR2, Cavalcanti AB3, de Azevedo LCP4, de Andrade J5, Machado MCV6, Lobo SMA7, Rech TH8, Lisboa T8, Nunes DSL9, da Silva DB1, Rosa RG1, Madalena IC1, Guterres CM1, Stein C1, do Prado DZ1, Robinson CC10, Colpani V1, Cruz LN1, Falavigna M1
1Hospital Moinhos de Vento, Porto Alegre
2Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo
3Hospital do Coração - HCor, São Paulo
4Hospital Sírio-Libanês, São Paulo
5Central de Transplantes de Santa Catarina, Criciúma
6Centro Hospitalar Unimed, Joinville
7Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto, São José do Rio Preto
8Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre
9Brazilian Ministry of Health, Brasília
10Hospital Moinhos de Vento
Abstract
Background: Organ shortage for transplantation has become an important public health problem. Better management of potential donor may increase effective organ donation, number of organs recovered, and quality of organs transplanted.

Objectives: To present the recommendations of the Brazilian guideline for the management of potential brain-dead donors.

Methods: The guideline was developed through the collaborative efforts of the Brazilian Society of Intensive Care (AMIB), the Brazilian Organ Transplantation Society (ABTO), the Brazilian Research in Intensive Care Network (BRICNet), and the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Questions were drafted in July 2016; guideline scope was based on AMIB-ABTO guidelines for maintenance of adult patients with brain death and potential for multiple organ donations, published in 2011. Important outcomes considered for decision making were: cardiac arrest, number of organs recovered or transplanted, and clinical outcomes in the organ recipient (e.g. delayed graft function, need for hemodialysis, and organ survival). We conducted rapid systematic reviews for evidence search and synthesis; quality of evidence was assessed using GRADE. Guideline meetings occurred in November 2016 and February 2017; guideline panel was composed of intensivists, transplant co-ordinators, professionals from various transplant teams, and Brazilian Ministry of Health representatives. GRADE evidence to decision tables were used for making recommendations.

Results: We provided 21 clinical practice recommendations regarding temperature control, mechanical ventilation, vital signs, electrolyte control, blood pressure management, hormone replacement, diet, use of antibiotics, blood transfusion, and use of checklists. Most recommendations were considered conditional (weak) and quality of evidence was low or very low.

Conclusions: The use of evidence-based guidelines may improve the management of potential brain-dead organ donors. Although this guideline has been developed for the Brazilian context, it may be adopted by or adapted to other countries.