Neurologic determination of death

Death determined by neurologic criteria or brain death is better understood as brain arrest or the final clinical expression of complete and irreversible neurologic failure. Despite widespread national, international, and legal acceptance of the concept, substantial variation exists in the standards and their application, and there remains a need to clarify and standardize terminology (eg, ancillary and supplementary testing, brain death, or neurologic determination of death). The aim of this article is to review the specific criteria and requirements of brain death, paying special attention to areas of controversy and practice inconsistency.