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Intravenous digital subtraction angiography. A criteria of brain death
Insights
Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) effectively confirms brain death by demonstrating absent cerebral blood flow. This quick, minimally invasive method aids in diagnosing brain death for organ transplantation eligibility.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Cerebral death diagnosis relies on confirming the absence of cerebral blood flow.
- Established clinical signs often necessitate further confirmatory tests.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of intravenous digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in diagnosing brain death.
- To assess DSA's utility in identifying the cessation of intracranial circulation.
Main Methods:
- Intravenous digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was performed on 110 patients exhibiting clinical signs of brain death.
- Repeat examinations were conducted in select cases to confirm circulatory arrest.
Main Results:
- DSA confirmed the absence of intracranial circulation in 105 out of 110 patients.
- In the remaining 5 cases, repeated DSA examinations confirmed arrested cerebral circulation.
- Organ transplantations were successfully performed in 30 patients following DSA confirmation.
Conclusions:
- Intravenous digital subtraction angiography (DSA) is a reliable and rapid method for demonstrating brain death.
- DSA provides crucial confirmation of absent cerebral blood flow, essential for clinical management and organ donation protocols.
Abstract:
The absence of cerebral blood flow is the best criteria of cerebral death. Intravenous digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was performed in 110 patients with clinical signs of brain death. In 105 cases DSA, confirmed the stop of the intracranial circulation. In the other 5 cases, repeated examination a few hours later demonstrated arrested cerebral circulation. Organs transplantations were performed in 30 cases. DAS represents a relatively non invasive and quick to perform method to demonstrate brain death.