This information is based on the American Acadamy of Neurology Guidelines.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1.A Patient was admitted to the emergency department. The CT scan revealed a massive hemorrhage. Can I declare the patient brain dead if he fulfills the neurologic criteria, or do I need to observe him for some time?

2. I did an EEG in an apparently brain dead Neonate. The EEG artifacts are very prominent, what is another good test to confirm brain death?

3. Can I declare Brain Death if I do not know the cause of Encephalitis?

4. Our hospital does not have a neurologist or neurosurgen, who do I ask for assistance?

5. The EEG shows Theta activity and the nuclear scan registers tracer uptake. There is no brain stem function by clinical exam, can I declare the patient brain dead?

6. The apnea test (after 2 tries) does not lead to a rise in PCO2 of greater than 50 torr. What am I doing wrong? Is the apnea test really neccessary?

7. The neurosurgeon treated the patient with barbituates. There is no evidence of brain function by clinical exam. Can I just do an angiogram to declare brain death?

8. We are in Virginia. A family from New Jersey says we cannot declare brain death because their religion forbids declaration by neurologic criteria. They insist state law supports their claim. How do Irespond?

9. The family refuses to disconnect the ventilator after brain death has been declared. What do I do?

10. My hospital guidelines state that 2 neurologists are required to declare brain death. Is this right?

Check back for the answers.