Brain Death Determination.
In the United States, each year 1% to 2% of deaths are brain deaths. Considerable variation in the practice of determining brain death still remains, despite the publication of practice parameters in 1995 and an evidence-based guideline update in 2010. This review is intended to give bedside clinicians an overview of definition, the causes and pitfalls of misdiagnosing brain death, and a focus on the specifics of the brain death determination process.
David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA Department of Medicine, Kern Medical Center, Chief, Critical Care and Pulmonary Services. Bakersfield, CA, USA spinelloi@kernmedctr.com.
Irene M
IM
Spinello
D001926:Brain Death / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D004569:Electroencephalography; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D014481:United States
absent brain stem reflexes; apnea test; brain death; irreversible brain injury