ABSTRACT
Brainstem death occurs after severe brain injury as a result of either trauma or a cerebrovascular accident. Brainstem death is defined as the permanent loss of the capacity for consciousness and spontaneous breathing. The reticular activating formation controls consciousness and is diffuse throughout the brainstem; the respiratory centre is in the medulla oblongata. Donation after circulatory death describes the recovery of organs for transplantation after death confirmed by circulatory criteria. These donors were formerly called asystolic or non-heart-beating donors. Living kidney donation is possible because most individuals have two healthy kidneys and it is possible to live a normal life with a single kidney. Parts of non-paired organs can also be removed from live donors. Preservation solutions have three main components: electrolytes, an impermeant and a buffer.
