Summary
Hence, in the third generation of brain death criteria, the disappearance of evoked potentials is, in our opinion, the best of the new tests.
There are, therefore, three tests alternatively available: ECS, EP-abolition and CCA, which permit a shortening of the observation time, before the determination of brain death. This is not valid for newborns (Fig. 4).
In these tests the difference between supratentorial and infratentorial primary brain lesions has to be considered carefully. In infratentorial lesions the apnea can precede the ECS by several hours.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Chiolero R., Th. Deonna, P.A. Despland, et al.: Richtlinien für die Definition und die Diagnose des Todes. Schweizerische Ärztezeitung 64 (21): 810–811, 1983
Ferbert A., H. Buchner, R.B. Ringelstein, et al.: Brain death from infratentorial lesions. Clinical, neurophysiological and transcranial Doppler Ultrasound findings. ICRAN 1986
Frowein R.A., K.-H. Euler, A. Karimi: Grenzen der Wiederbelebung bei schweren Hirntraumen. Langenbecks Arch. klin. Chirurgie 308: 277–281, 1964
Hilger H.H., P. Siemens: Variability of heart rate in brain death. ICRAN 1986
Hirsch H., V. Hohmann, M. Kaegler, et al.: Recovery of auditory evoked potentials after long-term complete brain ischemia. ICRAN 1986
Lynn J.: Guidelines for the determination of death. President's Commission for the Study of Ethical Problems. JAMA 246: 2184–2186, 1981
Mollaret P., M. Goulon: Le come dépassé. Rev. Neurol. 101: 3–15, 1959
Pallis C.: ABC of brain stem death. British Medical Journal 286, 39: 123–124, 209–210, 284–287, 1983
Richard K.-E., K. Nanassis, R.A. Frowein: Intracranial pressure; a reliable criterion of brain death? ICRAN '86
Schwarz G., G. Pfurtscheller, V. Köpruner, et al.: Herzfrequenz-variabilität beim Hirntod. In: Gänshirt H., P. Berlit, G. Haack: Verhandlungen der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurologie Bd. 3: Berlin-Heidelberg-New York-Tokyo, Springer, 1985
Lord Smith of Marlow: The removal of cadaveric organs for transplantation. A code of practice. Health Department of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Oct. 1979
Takeuchi K., H. Takeshita, K. Takakura, et al.: New Japanese criteria of brain death. ICRAN '86
Walker E.: Cerebral death. Baltimore-Munich, Urban & Schwarzenberg, 1981
Walker E.: Brain death. In: Gänshirt H., P. Berlit, G. Haack: Verhandlungen der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurologie Bd. 3, Berlin-Heidelberg-New York-Tokyo, Springer, 1985
Wolff H.P., H. Kuhlendahl: Kriterien des Hirntodes. Deutsches Ärzteblatt - Ärztliche Mitteilungen 14: 45–55, 1982
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Frowein, R.A., Hamel, E. Brain death criteria: Third generation. Neurosurg. Rev. 12 (Suppl 1), 276–281 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01790661
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01790661