• Alberto Giannini, Massimo Abelli, Giampaolo Azzoni, Gianni Biancofiore, Franco Citterio, Paolo Geraci, Nicola Latronico, Mario Picozzi, Francesco Procaccio, Luigi Riccioni, Paolo Rigotti, Franco Valenza, Sergio Vesconi, Nereo Zamperetti, Working Group on DCD of Italian Society of Anesthesiology, Analgesia and Intensive Care (SIAARTI), and Italian Society for Organ Transplantation.
• Terapia Intensiva Pediatrica, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy - a.giannini@policlinico.mi.it.
• Minerva Anestesiol. 2016 Mar 1; 82 (3): 359-68.

AbstractDonation after circulatory death (DCD) is a valuable option for the procurement of functioning organs for transplantation. Clinical results are promising and public acceptance is quite good in most western countries. Yet, although DCD is widespread in Europe, several problems still persist in Italy as well as in some other countries. This paper aims to describe the main clinical, organisational, ethical and legal issues at stake, bearing in mind the particular situation created by Italian legislation. Currently, as regards DCD, Italy is somewhat different from other countries. Therefore, every effort should be made for the safe and effective implementation of DCD programs: uncontrolled DCD programs should be promoted and encouraged, within the framework of shared and authoritative rules. At the same time, we need to tackle the question of controlled DCD, promoting debate among all involved subjects regarding the fundamental issues of end-of-life care within protocols that best integrate the highest standard of care for the dying and the legitimate interests of those awaiting a life-saving organ.

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