Optimizing tissue donation in critical care and emergency department at a university hospital

Introduction The increase of human tissue clinical use has lately generated a relevant donors demand, which in terms of tissue donation is not limited to brain dead donors, but generalized to cardiac arrest donors (multi-tissue donor) and alive donors. Donated organs and tissues both come from an alive or dead donor, which implies similarities in terms of ethical requirements. However, there are several aspects that differentiate both protocols and make a difference in the approach. · No time urgency. · Storage. · Tissue extraction can be adjusted to clinical demands and tissue bank availabilities. These distinguishing factors previously mentioned make tissue donation after cardiac arrest possible.