Thyroid Hormone Replacement in Brain-Dead Organ Donor: Should it Be Standard of Care or Is it Still too Soon to Tell?

IT IS WELL-KNOWN that hormonal changes occur after brain death. Pituitary failure ensues, which results in low triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) levels and an acutely hypothyroid state. Catecholamines are released, which can result in an increased systemic vascular resistance, decreased cardiac output, and decreased left ventricular dysfunction. There are conflicting data regarding the hormonal and hemodynamic collapse that can render organs not suitable for donation.1 Ventricular contractility is reduced, associated with alterations in cardiac myosin fibers and changes to calcium channel function.
Source: Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia - Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Tags: Editorial Source Type: research