When health care priorities are unclear: Do we obtain organs or try to save lives?

In recent years, the number of programs for organ donation following unexpected cardiac arrest has increased (uncontrolled Donation after Circulatory Determination of Death, or uDCDD). Potential uDCDD donors have died from an unexpected loss of circulation, mostly due to sudden cardiac arrest. Because circulation is lost before death is determined and long before organ procurement could begin, organs will die unless they are quickly preserved. In Spain alone, there are seven active programs in six different regions, and at least as many advanced projects. 1