Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
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The term "brainstem death" is ambiguous; it can be used to refer either exclusively to loss of function of the brainstem or loss of function of the whole brain. We aimed to establish the term's intended meaning in national protocols for the determination of brain death/death by neurologic criteria (BD/DNC) from around the world. ⋯ There is international variability in the intended meaning of the terms "brainstem death" and "whole brain death" resulting in ambiguity and potentially inaccurate or inconsistent diagnosis. Regardless of the nomenclature, we advocate for national protocols to be clear regarding any requirement for ancillary testing in cases of primary infratentorial brain injury who may fulfill clinical criteria for BD/DNC.
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Radionuclide perfusion studies have an established ancillary role in determination of death by neurologic criteria (DNC). While critically important, these examinations are not well understood by individuals outside of the imaging specialties. The purpose of this review is to clarify relevant concepts and nomenclature and provide a lexicon of relevant terminology of value to non-nuclear medicine practitioners who wish to better understand these examinations. ⋯ The new adult and pediatric Canadian recommendations favour use of lipophilic RPs to variable degrees, specifically 99mTc-HMPAO, the lipophilic moiety which has undergone the greatest validation. Although ancillary use of radiopharmaceuticals is quite settled in multiple DNC guidelines and best practices, several areas of further research remain open to investigation. Examens auxiliaires de perfusion nucléaire pour la détermination du décès selon des critères neurologiques : méthodes, interprétation et lexique-un guide de l'utilisateur à l'intention du clinicien.
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Review Meta Analysis
Diagnostic accuracy of ancillary tests for death by neurologic criteria: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Ancillary tests are frequently used in death determination by neurologic criteria (DNC), particularly when the clinical neurologic examination is unreliable. Nevertheless, their diagnostic accuracy has not been extensively studied. Our objective was to synthesize the sensitivity and specificity of commonly used ancillary tests for DNC. ⋯ PROSPERO (CRD42013005907); registered 7 October 2013.
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Review Meta Analysis
Diagnostic accuracy of ancillary tests for death by neurologic criteria: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Ancillary tests are frequently used in death determination by neurologic criteria (DNC), particularly when the clinical neurologic examination is unreliable. Nevertheless, their diagnostic accuracy has not been extensively studied. Our objective was to synthesize the sensitivity and specificity of commonly used ancillary tests for DNC. ⋯ PROSPERO (CRD42013005907); registered 7 October 2013.
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There are two anatomic formulations of death by neurologic criteria accepted worldwide: whole-brain death and brainstem death. As part of the Canadian Death Definition and Determination Project, we convened an expert working group and performed a narrative review of the literature. Infratentorial brain injury (IBI) with an unconfounded clinical assessment consistent with death by neurologic criteria represents a nonrecoverable injury. ⋯ There is currently no reliable ancillary test to confirm complete destruction of the brainstem; ancillary testing currently includes evaluation of both infratentorial and supratentorial flow. Acknowledging international variability in this regard, the existing evidence reviewed does not provide sufficient confidence that the clinical exam in IBI represents a complete and permanent destruction of the reticular activating system and thus the capacity for consciousness. On this basis, IBI consistent with clinical signs of death by neurologic criteria without significant supratentorial involvement does not fulfill criteria for death in Canada and ancillary testing is required.