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BACKGROUND: Brain death is associated with a systemic inflammatory response resulting in diminished organ function in individuals transplanted with organs from brain dead donors. As inflammation is accompanied by activation of coagulation, we hypothesized that activation of hemostasis occurs in brain dead organ donors. OBJECTIVES: To assess the hemostatic status in brain dead organ donors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this study, we systematically assessed the hemostatic system in samples taken from 30 brain dead donors. As controls, blood samples from 30 living kidney donors were included. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the living donors, brain dead donors showed significant platelet activation (assessed by glycocalicin plasma levels), and a profound dysbalance in the von Willebrand factor/ADAMTS13 axis, which is key in platelet attachment to damaged vasculature. Furthermore, compared with the living donors, brain dead donors showed a significantly increased activation of secondary hemostasis with formation of fibrin (assessed by plasma levels of prothrombin fragment 1 + 2, fibrinopeptide A and D-dimer). Finally, brain dead donors showed profound hypofibrinolysis as assessed by a global clot lysis assay, which was attributed to substantially elevated plasma levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1. Collectively, our results show activation of hemostasis and dysregulated fibrinolysis in brain dead organ donors. This prothrombotic state may contribute to formation of microthrombi in transplantable organs, which potentially contributes to deterioration of organ function.

Original publication

DOI

10.1111/j.1538-7836.2011.04442.x

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Thromb Haemost

Publication Date

10/2011

Volume

9

Pages

1959 - 1965

Keywords

ADAM Proteins, ADAMTS13 Protein, Blood Coagulation, Brain Death, Fibrin, Hemostasis, Humans, Tissue Donors, von Willebrand Factor