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Organ Procurement and Preservation
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The concept and understanding of brain death have evolved significantly over
the past few decades. This entity has become more recognized as our ability to
provide prolonged cardiovascular support to brain injured patients became more
sophisticated. In parallel with these developments, organ transplantation became
a reality with wider applications resulting in significant increase in demand for
potentially transplantable organs. Quite likely, the availability of organs for transplantation
was fueled by the broadened application of brain death laws. Achieving
a uniform definition of brain death and establishing methods for prompt brain
death diagnosis (prior to the onset of hemodynamic and cardiovascular collapse)
is a sine qua non in the field of modern organ transplantation. Therefore, it was of
great importance to achieve a uniform definition of brain death and establish
methods for prompt diagnosis prior to the development of hemodynamic instability
which culminates in cardiovascular collapse.
The concept of brain death is confusing for many in the medical community
as well as in the lay public. The purpose of this chapter is to outline the legislative
and clinical background of current definitions, describe a systematic process for
the evaluation of the brain injured patient, and to arrive at the diagnosis of brain
death.
Goran B. Klintmalm, M.D., Ph.D. and Marlon F. Levy, M.D. - Personal Name
1-57059-498-8
NONE
Management
English
1999
1-184
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