Abstract
This case study reports the initial management, prognosis assessment and withdrawal of life support followed by retrieval of vital organs for transplantation in a patient admitted after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. This is the first description of a case of controlled donation after circulatory death in the Czech Republic.
We discuss in detail the practical aspects of organ retrieval management, the role of echocardiography in circulatory arrest, indication of palliative treatment including terminal weaning and determining death due to circulatory arrest. We also emphasize communication with family members.
The protocol used to determine death after circulatory arrest is presented along with the basic ethical and legal considerations in this sub-group of organ donors.