Phenomenon of Demikhov. In the Sklifosovsky Institute (1960–1986). Fighting "windmills" or lack of conditions (1961)

Abstract

The article describes the results of V.P. Demikhov's working at N.V. Sklifosovsky Institute for Emergency Medicine in 1961. We have presented a brief report of his laboratory activities and a prospective working plan that included preparing for vital organ transplantations in clinic, conducting immunological and morphological studies, resolving resuscitation issues, all aimed at: 1) revitalizing dead people and their organs for transplantatio, and 2) preserving the vitality of the isolated organs before transplantation. For the first time in the history of national surgery, the question of "brain death" was raised as a criterion for the possibility of organ harvesting. However, the documents we have reviewed demonstrated that such a plan was impossible to be realized with the efforts of a single institution. V.P. Demikhov was advised to revise the plan, abridge it, and bring it into line with the modest potential of the Institute to organ transplantations.