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Semin Neurol 2015; 35(02): 145-151
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1547534
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Brain Death: The United Kingdom Perspective

Martin Smith
1   Department of Neurocritical Care, The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London Hospitals, UCLH/UCL National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, London, United Kingdom
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Publication History

Publication Date:
03 April 2015 (online)

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Abstract

The United Kingdom (UK) has incorporated a brainstem formulation into its brain death criteria since the first guidelines were published in 1976. A clinical diagnosis incorporating three sequential but interdependent steps is sufficient for the determination of brain death in the UK. There must be no doubt that the patient's comatose condition is due to irreversible brain damage of known etiology, and potentially reversible causes of coma and apnea, such as drug effects, metabolic or endocrine disturbances, or hypothermia, must be excluded. A clinical examination of brainstem reflexes and an apnea test is then undertaken. Confirmatory tests are not required in the UK, but may be useful to reduce any element of uncertainty or minimize the period of observation prior to the diagnosis of brainstem death if the preconditions for clinical testing are not met, or if a comprehensive neurologic examination is not possible. Brainstem death must be diagnosed by two doctors who must be present at each of the two sets of clinical tests that are required to determine death. Although death is not confirmed until the second test has been completed, the legal time of death is when the first test confirms the absence of brainstem reflexes.

Keywords

brain death - brainstem death - United Kingdom