title: Mechanism of Death after Decompressive Craniectomy in Non-Traumatic Brain Injury.
abstract: Decompressive craniectomy (DC) after devastating brain injury (DBI) may influence the manner in which patients die, having implications for end-of-life care and organ donation. We performed a retrospective review of deaths following a non-traumatic DBI between 2008 and 2012. 160 patients were reviewed; 26 were treated with DC and 134 received standard care. There was no relationship between DC and mechanism of death, (OR 1.18, 95% CI 0.44-3.17). Prospective studies are required to confirm these preliminary finding. DC studies should report the mechanism of death.
authors.affiliation: 1Division of Critical Care,McGill University Health Centre,McGill University.
authors.forename: Kimberley
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Trickey
authors.affiliation: 2Division of Pediatric Critical Care,Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute,McGill University Health Centre.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hornby
authors.affiliation: 3Division of Critical Care,McGill University Health Centre,McGill University;Medical Director,Deceased Donation,Canadian Blood Services.
authors.forename: Sam D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Shemie
authors.affiliation: 4Section of Neurocritical Care,Montreal Neurological Institute,McGill University.
authors.forename: Jeanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Teitelbaum
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D056424:Decompressive Craniectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D023261:Glasgow Outcome Scale; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Brain death; death; decompressive craniectomy; devastating brain injury; donation after circulatory death; non-traumatic brain injury; organ donation