Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Search research articles

Related Experiment Videos

Apnea testing in brain death.

J M Belsh, R Blatt, P L Schiffman

Archives of Internal Medicine

|December 1, 1986

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The apnea test is a safe and sensitive method for diagnosing brain death. In 33 tests on 20 patients, it accurately identified brain death without complications, even in those with lung disease.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Experimental Realization of Nonunitary Multiqubit Operations.

Physical review letters·2024

Same author

Observing emergent hydrodynamics in a long-range quantum magnet.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2022

Same author

Measuring Ion Oscillations at the Quantum Level with Fluorescence Light.

Physical review letters·2021

Same author

The Panopticon device: An integrated Paul-trap-hemispherical mirror system for quantum optics.

The Review of scientific instruments·2020

Same author

Author Correction: Self-verifying variational quantum simulation of lattice models.

Nature·2020

Same author

Self-verifying variational quantum simulation of lattice models.

Nature·2019

Same journal

Elevated CK-MB With Normal Total Creatine Kinase Levels in Patients Undergoing Maintenance Hemodialysis-Reply.

Archives of internal medicine·2017

Same journal

Occult Carbon Monoxide Poisoning-Reply.

Archives of internal medicine·2017

Same journal

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome-Reply.

Archives of internal medicine·2017

Same journal

Heparin Side Effects-Reply.

Archives of internal medicine·2017

Same journal

Humanizing primary care medicine begins with stress.

Archives of internal medicine·2017

Same journal

Legend omitted and number misrepresented.

Archives of internal medicine·2013

See all related articles

Area of Science:

Neurology
Critical Care Medicine

Background:

Diagnosing brain death requires confirmation of irreversible cessation of all functions of the entire brain, including the brainstem.
The apnea test is a critical component of the neurological examination to confirm brain death.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the safety and sensitivity of a standardized apnea test protocol in patients suspected of brain death.
To determine the efficacy of the apnea test in identifying patients with irreversible cessation of brain function.

Main Methods:

A standardized apnea test protocol was applied to 33 tests in 20 patients with suspected brain death.
Patients were monitored for spontaneous respiratory movements and electrocerebral silence via electroencephalography (EEG).
Physiological parameters including oxygenation, blood pressure, and cardiac rhythm were closely observed throughout the test.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

Only one patient (who did not exhibit electrocerebral silence on EEG) showed spontaneous respiratory movements.
No significant hypoxemia, hypotension, or cardiac arrhythmias were observed, even in patients with pre-existing lung disease.
The protocol proved safe and sensitive, with a starting partial arterial carbon dioxide pressure >= 36 mm Hg and a 10-minute disconnection time in normothermic patients.

Conclusions:

The standardized apnea test protocol is a safe and reliable method for diagnosing brain death.
The test effectively differentiates between brain dead and non-brain dead patients.
Achieving a partial arterial carbon dioxide pressure of 60 mm Hg is a key indicator within the established protocol.