Donation After Circulatory Death (DCD) Advanced International Training Course

Objectives

• To get the knowledge and technical skills necessary to organize an uncontrolled and controlled DCD process
• To be familiar with the end-of-life care, critical pathway in case of DCD donors, and adequation of life-sustaining treatment (ALST)
• To learn how to adequately maintain DCD potential donors to obtain organs for transplant
• To learn about abdominal and toraco-abdominal normothermic regional perfusion (NRP)
• To understand the surgical procedures of the recovery from DCD donors
• To discuss the results of these procedures, including potential pitfalls, areas for improvement, and perspectives toward the future
• To explore different organ preservation alternatives and ex-vivo machine perfusion techniques

Adressed to

• Healthcare professionals, including but not limited to emergency, intensive care, and anesthesia specialists
• Donor and transplant coordinators
• Transplant surgeons
• Perfusion specialists
• Physicians or managers interested in implementing DCD programs

Contents

• DCD International overview
• Uncontrolled DCD process
• Controlled DCD process
• ALST: adequation of life-sustaining treatment
• Normothermic Regional Perfusion (NRP) Procedure
• Organ assessment
• Organ recovery and preservation
• Ex-situ machine perfusion

Educational Methodology

The DCD Advanced Course offers a highly practical, immersive and participant-centred learning experience. It follows a blended modality:

• 5 online live sessions and 3 face-to-face days in residential The course venue is Attica 21 A Coruña hotel.
• Lectures dedicated to reviewing concepts and resolving doubts, as well as promoting critical thinking and decision-making.
• Clinical simulations based on problem-solving, role-playing, and case study.
• Experiential animal lab organized in a simulation center employing a porcine model to reproduce the clinical, surgical, and organizational steps involved in DCD.
• Small and diverse groups to encourage interaction, participation, and networking among them and with the faculty.

Faculty

• National and International healthcare professionals with a high level of expertise in the donation and transplantation field.
• Donor and transplant coordinators from countries with donation rates higher than 20 pmp, such as Spain, Italy, Portugal, France, the US, and Australia, among others
• Directors of OPOs / National Transplant Organizations
• Representatives from international scientific societies

Academic qualification

Upon successful completion of the course, a diploma will be awarded by DTI.

FAQS

What is the course format?
The course follows a blended format: live online sessions followed by a face-to-face residential part in A Coruña, Spain.

Can I attend only the online sessions?
No. To complete the course and receive the diploma, participants must attend both the online sessions and the face-to-face practical part.

What is the schedule of the online sessions?
The course includes live online sessions before the residential part. The exact dates and times are confirmed in the official program of each edition. Participants will receive the detailed program in advance to help them organize hospital duties and travel arrangements.

Where does the face-to-face part take place?
The residential part takes place in A Coruña, Spain. The venue is Hotel Attica 21 A Coruña, unless otherwise specified for a particular edition.

What happens during the face-to-face part?
The face-to-face part includes practical workshops, clinical simulations, case discussions, small group activities and hands-on laboratory training.

Does the course include laboratory training?
Yes. The course includes an experimental laboratory session using a porcine model to reproduce key clinical, surgical and organizational steps involved in DCD.

Do I need to be a surgeon to participate in practical activities?
No. The course is multidisciplinary. Surgical aspects are included, but the training is designed for different professional profiles involved in the DCD process.

What is the language of the course?
The course is delivered in English.

Are accommodation and meals included?
Yes, as a residential training program, meals and accommodation are included in the course fee only during the days of the course.

Are flights or travel expenses included?
No. Flights and travel expenses are not included. Participants are responsible for arranging their own travel to and from A Coruña.

Do I need a visa to attend the course in Spain?
Visa requirements depend on your nationality and country of residence. Participants should check the requirements with the Spanish Embassy or Consulate. DTI Foundation can provide a registration confirmation letter if needed.

Are scholarships or discounts available?
For the 2027 edition, participants from low and middle income may apply for the Pepe Buitrón Scholarship, subject to the eligibility criteria and selection process. More information and the application form are available here: https://dtifoundation.com/scholarships-pepe-butiron/

How can I register?
Participants should complete the registration process through the course website. Places are limited due to the practical methodology, laboratory training and small group activities.

Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. Participants who successfully complete the course will receive a diploma issued by DTI Foundation.

Is the course endorsed by ESOT?
Yes. The course has ESOT endorsement.