Letter to the editor: normothermic regional perfusion - a case worth defending

We read with interest the editorial by Rubin. We find his position about normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) in donation after cardiac death (DCD) to be problematic. We also strongly believe that his tweet “Normothermic regional perfusion involves euthanasia” on the X platform was unnecessarily inflammatory.

Organ donation is an intensely personal and sensitive topic. Trust and confidence in the care provided by medical staff are central to the process. Undermining this relationship may lead to significant harm to future and past donors, their families, and potential recipients. We agree that there are sensitive ethical, cultural, religious, and legal challenges associated with the use of regional perfusion technologies in DCD. Indeed, we believe that publications in this area should be factual and objective and offer measured opinions rather than sensationalism.