Determining Brain Death: A Summary

Abstract

Death by brain criteria is a clinical diagnosis that can be made when there is complete and irreversible cessation of all brain function. Since it is now technically possible to sustain cardiac, circulatory, respiratory and other organ function after the brain has ceased to be alive; a diagnosis of death by brain criteria can be made before the heart beat stops. The diagnosis of death by brain criteria is based primarily on clinical criteria. A confirmatory laboratory test may be done to supplement the clinical diagnosis. An individual with irreversible cessation of all brain function, including the brain stem, is dead. By Federal Law, you must notify the Organ Bank as soon as you believe death by brain criteria may occur (do not wait until after you have made the declaration).