Donation after cardiac death: perceptions versus reality.

摘要

The paper by Rady et al criticizes donation after cardiac death (DCD) on 3 levels: (1) it defies the spirit if not the letter of the dead donor rule; (2) asserts some manipulations of the DCD patient may inappropriately hasten death in patients technically still alive by brain death criteria, and (3) claims DCD is a threat to public trust in the organ donation system. These criticisms should stimulate further debate on these issues.