Publication
Title
Imminent brain death : point of departure for potential heart-beating organ donor recognition
Author
Abstract
Purpose: There is, in European countries that conduct medical chart review of intensive care unit (ICU) deaths, no consensus on uniform criteria for defining a potential organ donor. Although the term is increasingly being used in recent literature, it is seldom defined in detail. We searched for criteria for determination of imminent brain death, which can be seen as a precursor for organ donation. Methods: We organized meetings with representatives from the field of clinical neurology, neurotraumatology, intensive care medicine, transplantation medicine, clinical intensive care ethics, and organ procurement management. During these meetings, all possible criteria were discussed to identify a patient with a reasonable probability to become brain dead (imminent brain death). We focused on the practical usefulness of two validated coma scales (Glasgow Coma Scale and the FOUR Score), brain stem reflexes and respiration to define imminent brain death. Further we discussed criteria to determine irreversibility and futility in acute neurological conditions. Results: A patient who fulfills the definition of imminent brain death is a mechanically ventilated deeply comatose patient, admitted to an ICU, with irreversible catastrophic brain damage of known origin. A condition of imminent brain death requires either a Glasgow Coma Score of 3 and the progressive absence of at least three out of six brain stem reflexes or a FOUR score of E0M0B0R0. Conclusion: The definition of imminent brain death can be used as a point of departure for potential heartbeating organ donor recognition on the intensive care unit or retrospective medical chart analysis.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Intensive care medicine / European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; European Society of Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care. - Heidelberg, 1977, currens
Publication
Heidelberg : 2010
ISSN
0342-4642 [print]
1432-1238 [online]
DOI
10.1007/S00134-010-1848-Y
Volume/pages
36 :9 (2010) , p. 1488-1494
ISI
000280908000006
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 23.09.2010
Last edited 25.05.2022
To cite this reference