Administering levothyroxine, a synthetic thyroid hormone replacement drug, to brain-dead patients who are potential organ donors, may result in an increase in the quantity and quality of organs available for transplantation, according to Dr. George C. Velmahos of the University of Southern California.

One potential organ donor in four is lost due to sudden physiologic deterioration after brain death, researchers reported, and even more organs are lost as a consequence of high doses of vasopressors, stimulants that increase blood pressure to maintain adequate perfusion to the brain-dead organ donor.

In a study of 19 patients who were candidates for organ donation following brain death declaration, the researchers reported in Archives of Surgery that use of the thyroid hormone replacement enabled a "significant reduction" in the use of vasopressors, and said there were "no failures to reach organ donation due to cardiopulmonary arrest."

They concluded that levothyroxine therapy can play "an important role in the management" of potential organ donors, and "may result in an increase in the quantity and quality of organs available for transplantation."