AANA Journal Course: update for nurse anesthetists-brain death: terminology, clinical criteria, and diagnostic...

Developmental strides in biomedical technology and the growth and availability of intensive care units have paralleled the development of organ transplantation programs. The establishment of these programs required the development of a new definition, criteria, and test of death to facilitate the procurement of suitable organs. The historical definition of death, in instances of organ transplantation, is no longer compatible as cardiopulmonary support can be readily applied to individuals without spontaneous circulation and respiration. This AANA Journal course will examine the definitions of death and the evolution of the term "brain death." The essential clinical criteria and confirmatory diagnostic testing for the determination of adult "whole-brain death" will be reviewed.