Anaesthetics considerations for organ retrieval in the voluntary assisted dying patient - case report.

Adam B Levin, Yashutosh Joshi, Nikunj Vaidhya, Joanne Kantianis, Peter S Macdonald

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Article in BMC anesthesiology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Adam B LevinDepartment of Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine, Barwon Health, 277-322 Ryrie St Geelong Victoria, Victoria, 3222, Australia. adam.levin@barwonhealth.org.au.

Yashutosh JoshiHeart Transplant Unit, StVincent's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Nikunj VaidhyaHeart Transplant Unit, StVincent's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Joanne KantianisDonateLife Victoria, Barwon Health, Victoria, Australia.

Peter S MacdonaldHeart Transplant Unit, StVincent's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundVoluntary assisted dying (VAD) is now legalised in several countries. Organ donation after VAD provides unique moral and logistical challenges. This report highlights the role of the anaesthetist in such cases. CASE PRESENTATION: A 50-year-old man with end-stage amyotrophic lateral sclerosis underwent VAD and became an organ donor. Anaesthetic and logistical considerations during procurement are described. Advances in organ retrieval after VAD and psychosocial implications are briefly outlined.

conclusionsOrgan donation after VAD presents unique opportunities and challenges. The anaesthetist plays a key role in ensuring both dignity for the patient and optimal conditions for organ retrieval.

Indexed as

AnesthesiaAnestheticsSuicide, AssistedTissue and Organ HarvestingTissue and Organ ProcurementAmyotrophic Lateral SclerosisHumansMaleMiddle AgedAnestheticsAnaesthesiaCase reportEuthanasiaMedical assisted dyingOrgan donationVoluntary assisted dying

Identifiers

PMID42168859

DOI10.1186/s12871-026-03921-w

PMCPMC13466185

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