Question

Maastricht classification of donation after cardiac death. What category is stage 3 ?

• A. Awaiting cardiac arrest
• B. Brought in dead
• C. Unsuccessful resuscitation
• D. Cardiac arrest after brain-stem death

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Organise the Maastricht categories along a controlled-versus-uncontrolled axis. Categories I and II are uncontrolled; III, IV, and V are controlled.
Step 2: Walk the ladder: I = dead on arrival, II = failed resuscitation (these happen unexpectedly, hence uncontrolled).
Step 3: Category III is the planned, anticipated setting where life support is to be withdrawn and the team is waiting for the heart to stop - described as "awaiting cardiac arrest." This is the typical controlled DCD scenario.
Step 4: Beyond it, IV = cardiac arrest in an already brain-dead donor and V = euthanasia/medically assisted circulatory death. Matching stage 3 gives the awaiting-cardiac-arrest category. \[\boxed{\text{Awaiting cardiac arrest}}\]