Brain+Death

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=Definition:= The point at which vital signs, including brain activity, are absent and resuscitation is no longer possible. HGD Chapter 19, p. 484

Another Definition:
A irreversible coma; irreversible brain damage as manifested by absolute unresponsiveness to all stimuli, absence of all spontaneous muscle activity, and an isoelectric electroencephalogram for 30 minutes, all in the absence of hypothermia or intoxication by central nervous system depressants. The Free Dictionary

Related to:
Clinical Death Social Death

= Examples: = Brain Death can be caused by any injury that stops blood and oxygen from reaching the brain. Traumatic head injuries, a heart attck and stroke could all be causes of brain death.Other causes may include drug overdoes, hypothermia and diabtetes which all affects the brains metabolic function.



= Analogies: = If one looks at human life beginning with brain life and ending with brain death, than an analogy we could make would be considering that brain death is a indication that life is over, therefore some would argue that the absence of brain life in a fetus would indicate that human existence has not yet begun.

= Mnemonic: = The end of all brain activity. Tall ecstatic opportunities align bouncy arms.

=In the News:= ‍‍‍‍media type="custom" key="22559914"media type="custom" key="22559996"media type="custom" key="22560020"‍‍‍‍

Determining Brain Death in Adults "Very few decisions affect patients and their families as significantly as the determination of brain death. Besides the obvious need to make an accurate diagnosis, it is also imperative that the process be carried out proficiently and in a timely manner."

Brain Death "Under Australian law there are two definitions for death: cardiac death and brain death. //Cardiac death// occurs when a person is not breathing and their heart stops and cannot be restarted. As a consequence of this the brain will then stop functioning as it is being starved of oxygen. //Brain Death// occurs as a result of the same things except they occur in a different order. The brain sustains a severe injury, is starved of oxygen and stops functioning. As the brain stops functioning vital centres become affected, the person stops breathing on their own and eventually the heart stops."

Understanding Brain Death "In most cases, brain death must occur in order for organ donation to occur."

How Brain Death Works "First, one must clarify that everyone dies of "brain death." Whether an old person suffers cardiac arrest resulting in the lack of oxygen and nutrients to the Brain, or a younger person suffers a gunshot wound to the head resulting in brain death, it's the same diagnosis."

When is Someone Brain Dead? "Determining brain death is a complex process that requires dozens of tests to make sure doctors come to the correct conclusion."

Determination of Brain Death "1.1 This document establishes a uniform approach to rendering a diagnosis of death based on failure of brain function in line with MGH, state and federal regulations. This has been referred to as brain death, but must be understood to be no different than a diagnosis of death made by other criteria." = Discussion Area: = Start a discussion by clicking at the top of the page. Click on a subject below to see what people are saying and join a discussion. ‍‍‍‍This is the area for in-depth discussion of: [Because the comments on this page are for explaining the different elements on the page, we will be addressing questions, concerns, and ideas on the Sample Page Discussion page. include component="comments" page="Brain Death" limit="10" ‍‍
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