PREREQUISITES FOR DIAGNOSING BRAIN DEATH

Several disorders mimic brain death and can lead to an erroneous diagnosis. The absence of these conditions must be confirmed and the following factors considered before the criteria for brain death are applied.

Deep Coma

The patient must be in a deep coma, and the cause of the coma must be identified. Organic brain damage must be confirmed as a prerequisite for diagnosing brain death. Drug intoxication; severe electrolyte, acid-base, or endocrine disturbance; hypothermia; and other common treatable disorders should be ruled out.