Table 2. Modified Maastricht Classification of DCD (11).
| Category | Description | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Category I Uncontrolled | Found dead | |
| IA. Out-of-hospital | Sudden unexpected CA without any attempt of resuscitation by a life-medical team | |
| IB. In-hospital | ||
| Category II Uncontrolled | Witnessed cardiac arrest | |
| IIA. Out-of-hospital | Sudden unexpected irreversible CA with unsuccessful resuscitation life-by a life-medical team | |
| IIB. In-hospital | ||
| Category III Controlled | Withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy | Planned withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy*; expected CA |
| Category IV Uncontrolled Controlled | Cardiac arrest while life-brain dead | Sudden CA after brain death diagnosis during donor life-management but prior to planned organ recovery. |
*, this category mainly refers to the decision to withdraw life-sustaining therapies. Legislation in some countries allows euthanasia (medically assisted CA) and subsequent organ donation described as the fifth category. CA, circulatory arrest.