Controlled DCD lung transplantation: Circumventing imagined and real barriers—time for an international taskforce?

Abstract

Controlled donation after circulatory death (DCD) has the potential to substantially increase the number of lung transplants thus offsetting some of the imbalance between need and organ availability. We examine the potential benefits associated with increased DCD utilization as well as the perceived barriers to the expansion of DCD. Solutions are offered as a means to expand DCD utilization across centers and nations.