Preferred term: Donation after Circulatory Death
The recovery of organs and or tissues from a donor whose heart has irreversibly stopped beating, previously referred to as non-heart-beating or asystolic donation.
(OPTN Glossary May 2021)
The organ recovery process following death by irreversible cessation of circulatory and respiratory functions. A DCD donor may also be called a non-heart-beating, asystolic, or donation after circulatory determination of death. (Organ Toolbox Workgroup, 2018 & Community Hospital Resource Guide Workgroup, 2019 and Terminology & Data Resources May 2021)
Donation after Circulatory Death (DCD) describes the organ recovery process that may occur following death by irreversible cessation of circulatory and respiratory functions. A DCD donor may also be called a non-heart-beating, asystolic, or donation after cardiac death donor. (OPTN Policy Definitions May 2021)
Alternative Term: Non-heart-beating Donor (NHD)