Pediatr Crit Care Me
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Jul 2010
ReviewA critique of the apneic oxygenation test for the diagnosis of "brain death".
To determine the reliability and safety of the apneic oxygenation test to diagnose brain death for the purpose of organ donation. ⋯ : The apneic oxygenation test is unreliable in the diagnosis of brain death. It is scientifically flawed and hypothesized to cause brain death. In lieu of this test, a reliable test of brain perfusion should be mandatory, whereas the apneic oxygenation test, if performed at all, should be restricted to demonstration of apnea after brain perfusion has been shown to be absent.