# \[Organ\] donor \[How long are organs viable after death\]

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/organ-donor-how-long-are-organs-viable-after-death/830524>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 4, 2019, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/organ-donor-how-long-are-organs-viable-after-death/830524 "2019-03-04T12:52:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![fedman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/278dde/32.png) [@fedman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman)\
**Post date:** [March 4, 2019, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/organ-donor-how-long-are-organs-viable-after-death/830524/1 "2019-03-04T12:52:45Z")

</div>

while getting my new Drivers license, I chose to be donor, but later I thought if this is realistic option. After death, how long are kidneys, liver, etc viable for transplant?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\
**Post date:** [March 4, 2019, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/organ-donor-how-long-are-organs-viable-after-death/830524/2 "2019-03-04T13:14:42Z")

</div>

After death, not long. But you can be kept alive with a catastrophic brain injury for a long time while, that is the typical case for organ donation. So yes, please check off the organ donor box.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\
**Post date:** [March 4, 2019, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/organ-donor-how-long-are-organs-viable-after-death/830524/3 "2019-03-04T13:32:32Z")

</div>

Title edited to indicate subject. Please use descriptive thread titles.

Colibri  
General Questions Moderator

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\
**Post date:** [March 4, 2019, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/organ-donor-how-long-are-organs-viable-after-death/830524/4 "2019-03-04T14:01:59Z")

</div>

> [@](#):
>
> As a result of the injury, the brain swells and obstructs its own blood supply, causing brain tissue to die, and cessation of brain function. This condition is irreversible. However, the vital organs (heart, lungs, liver, pancreas, intestine and kidneys) can be kept viable for a few days, if supported by artificial mechanical means (i.e. a ventilator). Brain death is an established medical and legal diagnosis of death.
> 
> Q: Why, And For How Long Must The Ventilator Be Kept On After Declaration Of Death?  
> A: The ventilator is needed to provide oxygen to the vital organs, and will be kept on until surgery can be arranged and performed. Without oxygen, the organs would die and not be viable for transplant.
> 
> Q: What Is The Maximum Time Span Between Recovering Organs/Tissues and Transplantation?  
> A: The approximate maximum time for the following organs/tissues is: Lung (4-6 hours); Heart (4-6 hours); Liver (24 hours); Pancreas (24 hours); Kidney (72 hours); Corneas (14 days); Bone (5 years); Skin (5 years); Heart valves (10 years).

[https://www.dcids.org/facts-about-donation/frequently-asked-questions/](https://www.dcids.org/facts-about-donation/frequently-asked-questions/)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\
**Post date:** [March 4, 2019, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/organ-donor-how-long-are-organs-viable-after-death/830524/5 "2019-03-04T18:02:50Z")

</div>

Heart valves have an expiration date of 10 YEARS? _My_ leftovers aren’t good that long.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![brossa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brossa/32/3040_2.png) [@brossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brossa)\
**Post date:** [March 4, 2019, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/organ-donor-how-long-are-organs-viable-after-death/830524/6 "2019-03-04T22:06:46Z")

</div>

Valves are stripped of all of their living cells, leaving only the connective tissue behind. They are, effectively, turned into leather. They’ll last a good long time frozen.