BRAIN DEATH DETECTION: THE ESSENTIALS

Abstract

This article will elaborate the definition of brain death as well as the initial diagnostic assessment of patients suspected of brain death. We will explain the protocol for brain death detection as simple as possible, elaborating all diagnostic approaches available for proving brain death presence. Since, early recognition of symptoms that indicate potential brain death in the patient is of vital importance, the clinical assessment of patients suspected of brain death will be explained step by step in order to provide a simple but comprehensive guide for nurses, resident doctors and specialists that work in an Intensive Care Units where brain death is most commonly diagnosed and deceased donor are treated further on. Diagnosing brain death must be carried out according to all rules and protocols, to avoid any omission or error in making a very important and serious diagnosis. Close and frequent monitoring by the nurse and physicians is the most important toll beyond any others when we speak about early and on time brain death detection.