Cardiac and Vascular Tissue Donation from Cadaver without a Donor Card

Abstract

Tissue transplantation, especially using cardiac valve allografts, remains uncommon in Japan. The major problem is a shortage of donors. To ameliorate this problem, we have begun explaining the necessity of tissue donation to families of patients who have died in our emergency department and confirm their willingness to have tissues donated. We report a case of donation of cardiac valves and thoracic aorta from a patient with no donor card. Although an eye bank and skin bank have been established in Japan, there is much need to establish banks for other tissues, such as cardiac valves and aortas, as soon as possible.