What is Donation after Cardiac Death?
Donation after Cardiac Death (DCD) applies to patients who aren’t brain dead but who have suffered a non-recoverable illness or injury and are ventilator dependent. Consent for DCD is only sought after the next-of-kin have made the decision to remove the ventilator. DCD allows most commonly for the recovery of livers and kidneys, but also the pancreas, lungs, and, in rare instances, hearts.
