Table 2

Death aetiologies of sudden cardiac arrest in 63 non heart beating donors

Cause

Confirmed

Probable

Trauma

13 (20.6%)

Cardiac cause

6 (9.5%)

14 (22.2%)

Stroke

4 (6.3%)

2 (3.2%)

Aortic dissection

2 (3.2%)

1 (1.6%)

Hanging

2 (3.2%)

Pancreatitis

1 (1.6%)

Hyperkalaemia

1 (1.6%)

Stab wound

1 (1.6%)

Gastrointestinal bleeding

1 (1.6%)

Meningitis

1 (1.6%)

False passage

1 (1.6%)

Unknown

13 (20.6%)

Unknown cause was defined when clinical examination or biological data were negative and in the absence of prodromes, medical history or evidence from relatives.

Fieux et al. Critical Care 2009 13:R141   doi:10.1186/cc8022