Aims and practical application of a multi organ procurement protocol.

According to the present situation of nonrenal organ transplantation there is an urgent need for heart, liver and pancreas grafts. To confront the steadily widening gap between cadaveric organ demand and supply the introduction of a multiorgan procurement protocol is mandatory. This protocol that is described in detail should regulate the collaboration between donor hospitals, the Eurotransplant Foundation, and transplant centers. On the basis of general, specific, and organspecific criteria potential donors can be evaluated, selected and accepted, then being followed by a well organized combined organ retrieval. The application of the proposed procurement protocol is expected to contribute significantly to the frequency and success rate of organ transplantation in Europe.