The problem with the validity of the diagnosis of brain death

Title: The problem with the validity of the diagnosis of brain death
Creator: Sundin-Huard, Deborah; Fahy, Kathleen
Relation: Nursing in Critical Care Vol. 9, Issue 2, p. 64-71
Publisher Link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1478-5153.2003.0057.x
Publisher: Blackwell Publishing
Resource Type: journal article
Date: 2004
Description: The diagnosis of brain death as 'death' and organ transplantation have been closely historically linked since the mid twentieth century. It will be argued in this article that the development of a neurological definition of death was introduced to justify the removal of fresh viable organs for transplantation. Brain death cannot be diagnosed reliably using 'established practices'. Improved understanding of the pathophysiology of raised intracranial pressure has challenged our understanding of brain death. We need to move forward in our conceptualization of phenomenon of profound coma associated with massive brain damage. If examination for 'brain death' is to be carried out at all, there needs to be an examination and re-evaluation of practices and protocols.
Subject: validity; brain death diagnosis; organ transplantation; pathophysiology; raised intracranial pressure; profound coma; brain damage
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/27691
Identifier: uon:1916
Identifier: ISSN:1478-5153
Language: eng
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