Citation

Räsänen M, Helanterä I, Kalliomäki J, Savikko J, Parry M, Lempinen M. Transplant. Proc. 2017; 49(1): 229-231.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.transproceed.2016.08.043

PMID

28104145

Abstract

Nicotine intoxication is a rare cause of death and can lead to brain death after respiratory arrest and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. To our knowledge, no previous reports regarding organ donation after nicotine intoxication have been described. We present a successful case of kidney donation after brain death caused by subcutaneous nicotine overdose from liquid nicotine from an e-cigarette cartridge in an attempted suicide. Both kidneys were transplanted successfully with immediate graft function, and both recipients were discharged at postoperative day 9 with normal plasma creatinine levels. Graft function has remained excellent in follow-up. This case suggests that kidneys from a donor with fatal nicotine intoxication may be successfully used for kidney transplantation in the absence of other contraindications for donation.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; Adult; Female; Drug Overdose; Nicotine; Kidney; Brain Death; Nicotinic Agonists; Graft Survival; Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; Nephrectomy; Tissue and Organ Procurement; Kidney Transplantation; Tissue and Organ Harvesting; Donor Selection