Uncontrolled Donation After Circulatory Death (uDCD) Trial

This study of organ donation following out of hospital cardiac arrest, also known as uncontrolled donation after circulatory death (uDCD), is led by a team from Cambridge University Hospitals in partnership with NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), the East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST), East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA), Magpas Air Ambulance and the Royal Free Hospital.

Currently there is no mechanism in the UK for people who die unexpectedly to become organ donors.

This study is to establish if patients who suffer sudden cardiac arrest and who come through emergency care can become organ donors, increasing the number of transplants in the UK. It will also explore whether this type of donation is accepted and supported by patients’ families.

The study launched in November 2024 and will run for 12 months with the aim of five successful organ donations and subsequent kidney transplants.

Chief Investigator: Mr Dominic Summers, study lead and Consultant Transplant and Vascular Access Surgeon, Cambridge University Hospitals.

EAAA Lead: Consultant Dr Ed Barnard

If you have any questions about the study, please email ed.barnard@eaaa.org.uk

Reference: TF093

For further details visit: Uncontrolled donation after circulatory death – Research and Development – NHS Blood and Transplant