Factors Associated with a Family’s Delay of Decision for Organ Donation After Brain Death

BACKGROUND This study aimed to explore the factors associated with a family's delay of decision for organ donation after brain death, and to investigate the effect of such a delay on organ donation. MATERIAL AND METHODS Medical records and data on counseling about organ donation with the families of 107 brain-dead potential donors between September 2012 and March 2016 at a single tertiary medical center were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS The final consent rate was 58% (62/107), and successful donation was performed in 40% (43/107). Ninety-two families (86%) made a decision within 48 hours, whereas 15 (14%) required more than 48 hours for a final decision. In univariate and multivariate analyses, the independent factors associated with a decision delay were mean arterial pressure ≤60 mm Hg and coma therapy. In the early decision group (<48 hours), the consent and successful donation rates were 55% (51/92) and 39% (36/92), respectively, whereas in the delayed decision group (≥48 hours), these rates were 73% (11/15) and 47% (7/15), respectively. The consent and successful donation rates were not inferior in the delayed decision group. CONCLUSIONS These findings justify continuous efforts to maintain organ viability and to extend counseling to encourage donation even if the family cannot decide immediately.