It is important to know what definition of “brain death” the institution and/ or team that is retrieving the organ is using. There are situations where the pressure inside the head is too high for adequate blood flow to the brain and the only functions are from the brainstem which are involuntary and reflexive. In these circumstances, even the brainstem functions succumb to the lack of blood flow eventually (the brain stem needs less blood than the brain itself). This state is, so far, irreversible and leads to cardiovascular collapse. Certain organs must be taken urgently before this occurs. Since a heart cannot be taken for transplant if it has stopped beating for any amount of time, the potassium injection stops it in a “relaxed” state in order to preserve it for the recipient. It is no different than when a heart surgeon uses potassium during bypass surgery to preserve the heart. The heart is then placed in more preservative solution and rushed to the recipient. In cases like this, there is no Magisterial prohibition and the patient is not considered euthanized, because death of the brain has all ready occured completely and irreversibly.
