Brain Death

One of the criteria to determine brain death is the irreversible absence of cerebral and brainstem reflexes including pupillary, oculocephalic, oculovestibular (caloric), corneal, gag, sucking, swallowing, and extensor posturing. Some of the other criteria for determination of brain death include: 1. Absence of respiratory drive (apnea) off the ventilator for a duration that is sufficient to produce hypercarbic drive (usually 10 to 20 minutes to achieve pC02 of 50 to 60 mmHg) ( 2. Body temperature below 34 C (93.2 F) 3. EEG isoelectric for 30 minutes at maximal gain 4. Absence of cerebral circulation by Doppler or magnetic resonance angiography 5. At least 24 hours of observation in adults with anoxic-ischemic brain damage with a negative drug screen