Heart attack organ donor pilot scheme

Published on 22/01/2013 00:00

PEOPLE who die after suffering a heart attack in the community will be able to donate their organs for the first time as part of a new pilot scheme.

Previously, those who have suffered a cardiac arrest either at home or in the community have not been able to do this, even if they had made it clear they wanted to be an organ donor. But a pilot project at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary will mean they could do this – each potentially saving the lives of up to seven people. Doctors in the emergency department will continue, as now, to make every effort to revive heart attack victims.