Brain Death Diagnostic Criteria

Vocabulary flashcards covering the pathophysiology, clinical testing requirements, EEG parameters, confounding factors, and verification protocol for brain death diagnostic criteria.

Pathophysiological endpoint of refractory ICP

Sustained, untreatable intracranial hypertension that crushes cerebral capillary beds, stops cerebral blood flow, and causes global neuronal necrosis, resulting in the permanent cessation of all brain and brainstem function.

The Apnea Test

A mandatory diagnostic clinical test that evaluates the intrinsic capability of the medullary respiratory center to initiate autonomous spontaneous breathing.

Passive tracheal insufflation

The technique used to maintain oxygenation while the client is disconnected from mechanical ventilator support during the apnea test process.

Positive apnea test criteria

The arterial carbon dioxide tension ($\text{PaCO}_2$) rises to $\ge 60\,\text{mmHg}$ (or $\ge 20\,\text{mmHg}$ above baseline) without the patient initiating any spontaneous respiratory effort.

Continuous EEG recording

An electroencephalogram evaluation performed continuously over a period of $6$ to $12\,\text{hours}$.

Flat electrical baseline

An EEG finding that confirms the absence of cerebral cortical electrical activity.

Invalidating testing conditions

Circumstances that render brain death testing invalid, specifically core hypothermia or the metabolic influence of residual CNS-depressant drugs, toxins, or neuromuscular paralytic agents.

Verification protocol

The clinical requirement that irreversible cessation of whole-brain function must be independently evaluated and confirmed by two licensed physicians.

Medullary respiratory center

The brainstem structure whose intrinsic capability to initiate autonomous spontaneous breathing is evaluated during the apnea test.

Global neuronal necrosis

The widespread death of neuronal brain tissue that results when untreatable intracranial hypertension crushes cerebral capillary beds and stops cerebral blood flow.