Controlled DCD lung transplantation: Circumventing imagined and real barriers - time for an international taskforce?

Controlled donation after circulatory death (DCD) has the potential to substantially increase the number of lung transplants thus offsetting some of the imbalance between need and organ availability. We examine the potential benefits associated with increased DCD utilization as well as the perceived barriers to the expansion of DCD. Solutions are offered as a means to expand DCD utilization across centers and nations. (C) 2022 International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Controlled donation after circulatory death (DCD) has the potential to increase the number of lung transplants and address the organ shortage. This study examines the benefits and barriers of increasing DCD utilization and provides solutions for expanding DCD utilization across centers and nations.