Technetium-99m-HMPAO cerebral perfusion scintigraphy: considerations for timely brain death declaration.
The lipophilic cerebral perfusion agent 99mTc-hexamethylpropylene amine oxime (HMPAO) is increasingly used to demonstrate the absence of blood flow for the declaration of brain death. We report a case that illustrates how the timing of such studies is important when organ harvesting is the underlying emergent indication. If performed too early, a study showing the presence of cerebral perfusion may not expedite the declaration of brain death, but instead may complicate patient assessment and unnecessarily delay the process.
Larar
G N
GN
Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
Nagel
J S
JS
D001926:Brain Death / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds; D010091:Oximes; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019690:Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime; D013997:Time Factors; D014019:Tissue Donors
D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds; D010091:Oximes; D019690:Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime