Background

Thyroxine (T4) administration is advocated in the management of organ donors; however, the bioavailability of oral thyroxine is unknown in this patient population.

Objective

The primary objective of this study was to compare the percentage of the study time (from study drug administration to organ procurement) that patients in the oral vs the intravenous group required inotropic support. Secondary objectives included plasma levels of T3 and T4 and number of organs donated following oral vs intravenous T4 administration.

Design

Randomized double-blinded study.

Setting

Adult medical-surgical intensive care unit.

Patients

Thirty-two adult solid organ donors.

Interventions

Patients were randomized to …