Drug abusers and poisoned patients: A potential source of organs for transplantation?

Authors

Alison L. Jones, University of WollongongFollow
K J. Simpson, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh

RIS ID

62695

Publication Details

Jones, A. L. & Simpson, K. J. (1998). Drug abusers and poisoned patients: A potential source of organs for transplantation?. QJM - Monthly Journal of the Association of Physicians, 91 (8), 589-592.

Abstract

One of the major constraints to transplantation of solid organs is lack of availability of grafts and any attempt to use all available donors is to be welcomed. We address the possibility of expanding the transplant donor pool by inclusion of more patients who have suffered intoxication with drugs premortem. Particularly important in this context is the exclusion of organ-specific damage, and also infective risk to the potential recipient due to viral causes in the donor.