Analysis of brain death declaration process and its impact on organ donation in a reference trauma center

ABSTRACT Objective To characterize the processes of brain death diagnosis and organ donation in a reference trauma center. Methods Observational and cross-sectional study with patients notified with brain death at a reference trauma center. Data were obtained through the collection of medical records and brain death declaration forms. Results One hundred fity-nine patients were notified with brain death, mostly male (82.6%), young adults (97.61%) and victims of brain traumatic injury (93.7%). Median of the total time interval for the diagnosis of brain death was 20.75 hours, with no difference between organ donors and non-donors. We had excessive time intervals on brain death declaration, but without statistical effect on organ donation numbers. Conclusion We had low efficacy in brain death declaration based on longer time intervals, with no impact on organ donation.