Brain Death¶

Anna Berry

Background¶

Brain death= complete and permanent loss of brain function. Defined by coma with loss of capacity for consciousness, brainstem reflexes, and the ability to breathe independently

Checklist for Determination of Brain Death (American Academy of Neurology)

Prerequisites (all must be checked)
- Coma, irreversible and cause known
- Neuroimaging explains coma – usually CT or MRI
- Absence of CNS depressing drugs
- No evidence of residual paralytics (electrical stimulation if paralytics used)
- Absence of severe acid-base, electrolyte, endocrine abnormality
- Normothermia or mild hypothermia (core temp >36°C)
- SBP ≥100 mm Hg
- No spontaneous respirations
Examination (all must be checked) – Attending MUST be present for brain death exam

Apnea testing (all must be checked) – Attending MUST be present
- Pt is hemodynamically stable
- Ventilator adjusted to provide normocarbia (PaCO2 35–45 mm Hg)
- Preoxygenate with 100% FiO2 and PEEP of 5 cm water for >10 minutes to PaO2 >200 mmHg
- Provide oxygen via a suction catheter to the level of the carina at 6 L/min or attach T-piece with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) at 10 cm H2O
- Disconnect ventilator
- Spontaneous respirations absent
- Arterial blood gas drawn at 8–10 minutes, patient reconnected to ventilator
- PCO2 ≥60 mm Hg, or 20 mm Hg rise from normal baseline value; OR:
- Apnea test aborted due to spontaneous respirations present, hemodynamic instability, or hypoxia
Ancillary testing (Order one test if clinical examination cannot be fully performed due to patient factors or if apnea testing inconclusive/aborted)
- Cerebral angiogram
- HMPAO SPECT (Single photon emission computed tomography)
- EEG & TCD (transcranial Doppler)

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Last update: 2022-06-29 05:35:08