Evaluation of brain death using somatosensory evoked potentials

Area of Science:

• Neurophysiology
• Neurology

Background:

• Comatose patients require accurate prognostication.
• Current brain death criteria include cerebral blood flow arrest and EEG silence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) for predicting brain death.
• To assess SEP's utility in determining potential recovery in comatose patients.

Main Methods:

• Tested 22 comatose patients using SEP.
• Established baseline SEP control data from 85 normal volunteers.

Main Results:

• Five patients with ≥8 SEP latencies within 300ms awakened.
• 17 patients with <8 latencies within 500ms, delays, and asymmetry progressed to brain death.
• SEP findings preceded established brain death criteria.

Conclusions:

• SEP analysis is a valuable adjunct for early brain death prognosis.
• SEP can offer insights into the potential for recovery in comatose patients.