Updated definition of brain death in Texas

In most instances, brain death is established on the basis of straightforward clinical findings in adult patients having suffered head trauma or cerebral hemorrhage. In exceptional instances, including infants or adults having the neurologic criteria with a backdrop other than trauma or hemorrhage, or who are being treated with barbiturate coma, a different diagnostic procedure is necessary. Various considerations in brain death diagnosis in these exceptional circumstances are listed, with an update of ancillary diagnostic procedures. Reasons for avoiding unnecessary delays of diagnosis are underscored.