Brain death may be defined as an irreversible condition occurring when the entire brain and brain stem cease to function. When brain death is confirmed, then only it is possible to terminate artificial ventilation & other mechanic support provided the existing law permits Diagnosis of brain death: The presence of coma: The cause of coma, apnea and brain damage is known as irreversible. Reversible cause such as hypothermia, drug intoxication, metabolic and endocrine disturbances must be excluded. There should be no profound disturbance of serum electrolytes, acid-base balance and/or blood sugar level.
Apnoea- Spontaneous respiration must have ceased and patient on IPPV. Muscle relaxants and other drugs must be excluded as the cause of respiratory failure. No respiratory movements should occur even when PACo 2 is allowed to rise 7 kpa as measured by ABG. But in practice patient is…
