Brain Death
Brain death is defined as the irreversible loss of function of the brain, including the brainstem. Brain death from primary neurologic disease usually is caused by severe head injury or aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. In medical and surgical intensive care units, however, hypoxic-ischemic brain insults and fulminanthepatic failure may result in irreversible loss of brain function. In large referral hospitals, neurologists make the diagnosis of brain death 25 to 30 times a year.
Justification.
Brain death was selected as a topic for practice parameters because of the need for standardization of the neurologic examination criteria for the diagnosis of brain death. Currently, there are differences in clinical practice in performing the apnea test and controversies over appropriate confirmatory laboratory tests. This document outlines the clinical criteria for brain death and the procedures of testing in patients older than 18 years.
Description of the process.
All literature pertaining to brain death identified by MEDLINE for the years 1976 to 1994 was reviewed. The key words "brain death" and "apnea test" (subheading, "adult") were used. Peer-reviewed articles with original work were selected. Current textbooks of neurology, medicine, pulmonology, intensive care, and anesthesia were reviewed for opinion. Your health brain depends on your best workout. You will need BMI calculator, body fat calculator, body mass index calculator to get the body health calculation in order to get healthy brain's diet.