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2015 ; 84
(18
): 1870-9
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Brain death declaration: Practices and perceptions worldwide
#MMPMID25854866
Wahlster S
; Wijdicks EF
; Patel PV
; Greer DM
; Hemphill JC 3rd
; Carone M
; Mateen FJ
Neurology
2015[May]; 84
(18
): 1870-9
PMID25854866
show ga
OBJECTIVE: To assess the practices and perceptions of brain death determination
worldwide and analyze the extent and nature of variations among countries.
METHODS: An electronic survey was distributed globally to physicians with
expertise in neurocritical care, neurology, or related disciplines who would
encounter patients at risk of brain death. RESULTS: Most countries (n = 91,
response rate 76%) reported a legal provision (n = 63, 70%) and an institutional
protocol (n = 70, 77%) for brain death. Institutional protocols were less common
in lower-income countries (2/9 of low [22%], 9/18 lower-middle [50%], 22/26
upper-middle [85%], and 37/38 high-income countries [97%], p < 0.001). Countries
with an organized transplant network were more likely to have a brain death
provision compared with countries without one (53/64 [83%] vs 6/25 [24%], p <
0.001). Among institutions with a formalized brain death protocol, marked
variability occurred in requisite examination findings (n = 37, 53% of
respondents deviated from the American Academy of Neurology criteria), apnea
testing, necessity and type of ancillary testing (most commonly required test:
EEG [n = 37, 53%]), time to declaration, number and qualifications of physicians
present, and criteria in children (distinct pediatric criteria: n = 38, 56%).
CONCLUSIONS: Substantial differences in perceptions and practices of brain death
exist worldwide. The identification of discrepancies, improvement of gaps in
medical education, and formalization of protocols in lower-income countries
provide first pragmatic steps to reconciling these variations. Whether a
harmonized, uniform standard for brain death worldwide can be achieved remains
questionable.