Brain Death: Medical, Ethical, Cultural, and Legal Aspects.

The development of critical care stimulated brain death criteria formulation in response to concerns on treatment resources and unregulated organ procurement. The diagnosis centered on irreversible loss of brain function and subsequent systemic physiologic collapse and was subsequently codified into law. With improved critical care, physiologic collapse (while predominant) is not inevitable-provoking criticisms of the ethical and legal foundation for brain death. Other criteria have been unsuccessfully proposed, but irreversibility remains the conceptual foundation. Conflicts can arise when families reject the diagnosis-resulting in ethical, cultural, and communication challenges and implications for diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Criteria for brain death in Denmark.

In 1990, the Danish brain death legislation was adopted by the Danish Parliament. Each year, around 100 patients in Denmark fulfil criteria for brain death/death by neurological criteria (BD/DNC). In this review of current Danish criteria including the indication for ancillary investigation, which in Denmark is digital subtraction angiography (DSA), we conclude that the time has come to revise the national BD/DNC criteria. We propose that visible anoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy on brain CT after cardiac arrest does not require evaluation by ancillary testing, and that CT-angiography can be used instead of DSA.

[Organ donation and organ assessment after primary circulatory death and secondary brain death]. / Organspende und Organassessment nach primärem Herz-Kreislauf-Stillstand und sekundärem Hirntod.

BACKGROUND: The global organ shortage is the biggest obstacle to expand urgently needed liver transplantation activities. In addition to donation after brain death (DBD), donation after primary circulatory death (DCD) has also been introduced in many European countries to increase the number of donated organs. OBJECTIVE: This article summarizes the legal and ethical aspects of DCD, the practical donation process of DCD, the clinical results of DCD liver transplantation with a special focus on organ assessment before a planned DCD liver transplantation. RESULTS: In Europe 11 countries have active DCD liver transplantation programs and a total of 1230 DCD liver transplantations were performed in Europe in 2023. The highest proportion of DCD liver transplantations were recorded in Belgium (52.8%), the Netherlands (42.8%) and Switzerland (32.1%). The adequate selection of donors and recipients is crucial in DCD transplantation and the use of DCD livers particularly depends on the preparedness of the healthcare system for routine machine perfusion. The leaders are Belgium, France and Italy which implant around 68-74% of DCD organs. With an adequate organ assessment, the long-term results of DBD and DCD liver transplantations are comparable. To assess mitochondrial damage and thus organ quality, hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion (HOPE) was introduced and has the secondary benefit of mitochondrial protection through oxygenation. The establishment of aerobic metabolism in mitochondria under hypothermia leads to a reduction of toxic metabolites and the restoration of ATP storage, which subsequently leads to a reperfusion light during implantation. CONCLUSION: Expanding the donor pool with DCD donors can counteract the global organ shortage. With adequate patient selection and routine organ assessment short-term and also long-term outcomes of DBD and DCD liver transplantation are comparable.

Courts, rights and the critically brain-injured patient.

The reality of current clinical practice in the UK is that where a patient's family refuses to agree to testing for brain stem death (BD), such cases will ultimately end up in court. This situation is true of both adults and children and reinforced by recent legal cases. While recourse to the courts might be regrettable in such tragic cases, if public trust in the medical diagnosis of BD is to be maintained all aspects of the process must be conducted in a way that is transparent and open to scrutiny. This is not an 'ineffective expenditure' of resources, but an essential element of a human rights-compliant legal system.

No consent for brain death testing.

The overwhelming weight of legal authority in the USA and Canada holds that consent is not required for brain death testing. The situation in England and Wales is similar but different. While clinicians in England and Wales may have a prima facie duty to obtain consent, lack of consent has not barred testing. In three recent cases where consent for brain death testing was formally presented to the court, lack of consent was not determinative, and in one case the court questioned whether the clinicians were even required to seek consent from the parents of a child at all.

Determinação da morte encefálica no Brasil / Diagnosis of brain death in Brazil

RESUMO Definida como a perda completa e irreversível das funções encefálicas, a morte encefálica tem sua história vinculada ao surgimento das unidades de terapia intensiva e do avanço do suporte ventilatório artificial. No Brasil, por determinação de lei federal, os critérios para determinação da morte encefálica são definidos pelo Conselho Federal de Medicina desde 1997, sendo válidos para todo o território nacional. A resolução 2.173/2017 do Conselho Federal de Medicina atualizou a metodologia para determinação da morte encefálica. Fazem parte dessas mudanças: a obrigatoriedade da observação de pré-requisitos fisiológicos, do atendimento otimizado ao paciente antes de iniciar os procedimentos para determinar a morte encefálica e da realização de exames complementares, bem como a necessidade de capacitação específica dos médicos que realizam tal diagnóstico. Também fazem parte das novidades a redução do intervalo de tempo entre os dois exames clínicos, a possibilidade de prosseguir os procedimentos mediante lesão unilateral de olho ou ouvido, a realização de um único teste de apneia e a criação de um termo de determinação de morte encefálica que contempla o registro de todos os procedimentos em um documento único. É evidente, nesse documento, ainda que existam controvérsias, o aprimoramento da segurança para definição de um diagnóstico de tamanha importância, com implicações positivas que se estendem para além do paciente e do médico, e abrangem todo o sistema de saúde.

ABSTRACT Brain death, defined as the complete and irreversible loss of brain functions, has a history that is linked to the emergence of intensive care units and the advancement of artificial ventilatory support. In Brazil, by federal law, the criteria for the diagnosis of brain death have been defined by the Federal Council of Medicine since 1997 and apply to the entire Brazilian territory. Resolution 2,173/2017 of the Federal Council of Medicine updated the criteria for diagnosing brain death. These changes include the following: the requirement for the patient to meet specific physiological prerequisites and for the physician to provide optimized care to the patient before starting the procedures for diagnosing brain death and to perform complementary tests, as well as the need for specific training for physicians who make this diagnosis. Other changes include the reduction of the time interval between the two clinical examinations, the possibility of continuing procedures in the presence of unilateral ear or eye injury, the performance of a single apnea test and the creation of a statement of brain death determination that includes the recording of all procedures in a single document. This document, despite the controversy surrounding it, increases the safety necessary when establishing a diagnosis of such importance and has positive implications that extend beyond the patient and the physician to reach the entire health system.

Avaliação da eficácia do diagnóstico de morte encefálica e do processo de doação de órgão em um hospital de referência no Estado do Pará / Evaluation of the effectiveness of the diagnosis of brain death and the organ donation process in a reference hospital in the State of Pará

A constatação clinica de morte encefálica (ME) é essencial na obtenção de órgãos para transplante, sendo este uma medida terapêutica e extrema relevância, pois é a única alternativa para pacientes portadores de determinadas doenças terminais. O objetivo do trabalho foi caracterizar os processos de diagnostico de ME e de doação de órgãos no hospital Metropolitano de Urgência e Emergência. O estudo desenvolvido foi observacional, transversal e descritivo. Os pesquisadores utilizaram prontuários, termos de declaração de ME e protocolos de doação de órgãos de 159 pacientes diagnosticados com ME entre os anos de 2014 e 2017. Foram coletados dados epidemiológicos e informações concernentes aos processos de diagnóstico de ME, de manutenção do potencial doador (PD) e de doação de órgãos. A maioria dos pacientes pertencia ao gênero masculino (87,5%). encontrava-se na faixa etária de 21 a 40 anos (52,8%) e era proveniente do interior do Estado (85%). O acidente motociclístico foi o principal motivo de admissão (38,36%). Em acréscimo, identificou-se demora considerável no processo de diagnostico de ME, com poucos pacientes (28,3%) evoluindo sem complicações clínicas durante a internação. Evidenciou-se também que as principais causas de recusa para doação foram: desejo de corpo integro (32,04%) e motivos familiares (25,24%). Conclui-se, dessa forma, que o processo de doação de órgãos apresenta dificuldades no que se refere ao diagnostico e à manutenção do PD e à aceitação familiar, o que pode ser sanado com melhor educação tanto dos profissionais quanto dos cidadãos (AU)

The clinical establishment of brain death (BD) is essential for obtainment of organs for transplantation, which is a therapeutic measure and extremely relevant, as it is the only alternative for patients with certain terminal illnesses. The objective of this work was to characterize the processes of diagnosis of BD and organ donation in the Metropolitan Hospital of Urgency and Emergency. The study developed was observational, cross-sectional and descriptive. The researchers used medical records, BD declaration terms and organ donation protocols from 159 patients diagnosed with BD between 2014 and 2017. Epidemiological data and information concerning the processes of BD diagnosis and maintenance of potential donors were collected ( PD) and organ donation. Most patients were male (87.5%). he was aged between 21 and 40 years (52.8%) and came from the interior of the state (85%). Motorcycle accidents were the main reason for admission (38.36%). In addition, a considerable delay in the BD diagnosis process was identified, with few patients (28.3%) evolving without clinical complications during hospitalization. It was also evident that the main causes of refusal to donate were: desire for a whole body (32.04%) and family reasons (25.24%). Thus, it is concluded that the organ donation process presents difficulties with regard to the diagnosis and maintenance of PD and family acceptance, which can be remedied with better education of both professionals and citizens

Avaliação do diagnóstico de morte encefálica em diferentes regiões do mundo / Evaluation of brain death diagnosis around the world

Objetivos: Descrever critérios diagnósticos adotados para morte encefálica nos Estados Unidos, em países da Europa e comparar com os critérios brasileiros revisados em 2017. Métodos: Esse estudo constitui- -se de uma revisão de literatura utilizando as bases de dados Pubmed e LILACS dentro do período de 2013 a 2018. Foram incluídos também a Resolução nº 2.173/2017, do Conselho Federal de Medicina (CFM) e o guideline da Academia Americana de Neurologia (AAN). Resultados: Brasil, Estados Unidos da América (EUA) e alguns países da Europa possuem em sua legislação a definição e a obrigatoriedade de diagnosticar a morte encefálica. Os países diferem sobre os pré-requisitos para se iniciar os procedimentos de determinação de morte encefálica (ME) e quanto ao tempo de observação desde o momento da internação até o momento do exame. Brasil, EUA e Europa têm como aspecto central do diagnóstico de ME o exame clínico. Todos eles exigem a realização dos testes de ausência de reflexos do tronco encefálico. O teste de apneia é realizado apenas uma vez durante o protocolo em todos os países pesquisados. Os exames complementares são exigidos pelo Brasil e Europa. Em alguns países europeus, a obrigatoriedade é para o eletroencefalograma (EEG). Nos EUA, os testes auxiliares não são necessários para o diagnóstico de ME. Conclusão: O conceito de morte encefálica já é padronizado; contudo, há diferenças nos testes de diagnósticos e no modo que são aplicados. Embora exista um protocolo instituído no Brasil, existem falhas na qualificação dos profissionais aptos a realizarem o diagnóstico de morte encefálica. Dessa maneira, é fundamental a inserção do tema já no meio acadêmico dos estudantes da área da saúde.

Aims: To describe diagnostic criteria used to determine brain death in the United States of America and in some European countries, and compare them with the Brazilian criteria, reviewed in 2017. Methods: This article is a literature review using the Pubmed and LILACS databases from 2013 to 2018. Were also included the Resolution No. 2,173 / 2017 of the Federal Council of Medicine (CFM) and the guideline of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN). Results: Brazil, United States and some European countries have legislation concerning the definition of brain death and the obligation to diagnose it. The countries differ on the prerequisites for initiating procedures for BD determination, regarding observation time from the admission to the examination. Brazil, USA and Europe have clinical examination as central aspect of the diagnosis of BD. All of them require test of absence of brainstem reflexes. The apnea test is performed only once during the protocol in all countries surveyed. Complementary exams are required by both Brazil and Europe; in some European countries, this obligation concerns the EEG in particular. In USA, ancillary tests are not necessary for the diagnosis of BD. Conclusions: The concept of brain death has already been standardized, however, there are differences in the diagnostic tests and the way they are applied. Although there is a protocol established in Brazil, there are shortcomings in the qualification of professionals capable of performing the diagnosis of brain death. Thus, it is fundamental to insert this subject in the health students academic environment.

Morte encefálica: cinquenta anos além do coma profundo / Brain death: deep coma fifty years on

Mollaret e Goulon, há cinquenta anos, descreveram o coma dépassé, alteração irreversível da consciência que passou a ser chamada de morte encefálica e igualada à morte cardiorespiratória. Foram revisados a evolução dos critérios diagnósticos sobre morte encefálica, seus fundamentos éticos e científicos, e, principalmente, sua regulação ética e legal no Brasil.

Fifty years ago, Mollaret and Goulon described the dépassé coma, an irreversible alteration in consciousness that later came to be known as brain death and equated with heart and respiratory failure. This article presents an overview of the evolution of diagnostic criteria for brain death, its ethical and scientific basis, and, above all, its ethical and legal regulation in Brazil.

Muerte encefálica: consideraciones clínicas y legales / Brain death: clinical and legal considerations

Temor y ambivalencia son aspectos centrales en la matriz sociocultural relacionada con la muerte encefálica. Para el médico que debe evaluar pacientes y certificar el diagnóstico de muerte encefálica es crucial contar con una sólida comprensión de la fisiopatología, los criterios diagnósticos y de los exámenes complementarios. La existencia de un marco legal coherente y completo para el diagnóstico de muerte encefálica, independiente de la potencial donación de órganos, es ciertamente crucial para el médico. La relevancia que tiene en este sentido el fallo del Tribunal Constitucional de Chile del 13 de agosto de 1995 se analiza en profundidad.

Fear and ambivalence are key aspects of the sociocultural frame related to brain death. For those physicians who have to evaluate patients and certify the diagnosis of brain death a sound comprehension of the physiopathology, the clinical features and the complementary diagnostic test is crucial. The existence of a comprehensive and coherent legal regulation for the diagnosis of brain death, clearly independent of the potential of organ donation is also crucial. The relevance of the judgment given in 1995 by the Chilean Constitutional Court to provide these consistency is pointed out.

Criterios diagnósticos de la muerte encefálica según la resolución 90 del Ministerio de Salud Pública / Diagnostic criteria of encephalic death according to Resolution 90 from Health Public Ministry

Se presentan los criterios diagnósticos de la muerte con base legal en nuestro país, según la Resolución 90 del Ministerio de Salud Pública. Se consideraron tres posibles escenarios para diagnosticar la muerte: 1) Fuera de los cuidados intensivos (sin soporte vital). Los médicos aplican los criterios cardiocirculatorios y respiratorios clßsicos; 2) En situaciones forenses. Se aplican los llamados signos cadavéricos; 3) En condiciones de cuidados intensivos (con apoyo vital). Es cuando se aplican los criterios para determinar pérdida irreversible de las funciones encefálicas, o sea, se lleva a cabo el diagnóstico de la muerte encefálica. No obstante, eso no quiere decir que existen distintos tipos de muerte, pues la Comisión Nacional para la determinación y certificación de la muerte concluyó que existe solo una muerte en el ser humano, y es cuando ocurre una pérdida irreversible de las funciones encefálicas. Una parada cardiorrespiratoria solamente conlleva a la muerte cuando la anoxia y la isquemia son lo suficientemente prolongadas para destruir las estructuras intracraneales, teniéndose en cuenta además la posibilidad de que el sujeto esté bajo el efecto o no de neuroprotectores, como es en los casos de hipotermia accidental. En esa Resolución se decidió mostrar al médico los métodos para diagnosticar la muerte agrupados en los llamados signos ciertos de la muerte, como se han considerado en los textos clásicos de medicina forense, resumidos en 9 signos. El signo cierto número 9 se refiere a la pérdida irreversible de las funciones integradas en el encéfalo, o sea el diagnóstico de la muerte encefálica, que se describe en este trabajo.

Authors showed the death diagnostic criteria legally based in our country, according the Resolution 90 of the Public Health Ministry. Three possible scenarios were considered to diagnose the death: out of intensive care (without vital support). Physicians apply the classic cardio-circulatory and respiratory criteria; in forensic situations the so-called cadaveric signs are applied; in intensive care conditions (with vital support) it is when the criteria to determine the irreversible loss of brain functions are applied, i.e. a diagnosis of brain death is made. However, that no means that there are different types of death, since the National Commission for death assessment and certification concluded that there is only a death in the human being, and it is when happen a irreversible loss of brain functions. A cardio-respiratory arrest only leads to death when anoxia and ischemia are enough prolonged to destroy the intracranial structures, considering also the possibility that subject be or not under the neuroprotection effect, like in the cases of accidental hypothermia. In such Resolution the physicians may to see the methods to diagnose the death grouped in the so called true signs of death considered in the classic texts of forensic medicine, summarized in 9 signs. The true sign nomber 9 is to refer to the irreversible loss the brain functions, i.e. brain death diagnosis, described in this paper.

El diagnóstico de muerte neurológica en Costa Rica: análisis de los artículos 14 y 15 de la Ley No. 7409 / Diagnosis of neurological death in Costa Rica: analysis of articles 14 and 15 of law No. 7409

El presente trabajo expone algunos puntos de discusión acerca de la ley costarricense número 7409 "Ley sobre autorización para trasplantar órganos y materiales anatómicos humanos y su reglamento", en la que se describen algunos lineamientos de índole médica sobre el diagnóstico de muerte neurológica que resultan inexactos. Por ello se proponen criterios precisos para este diagnóstico, fundamentados en revisiones basadas en evidencia. Además espera ser un documento de consulta y discusión para profesionales en derecho y salud, en los diferentes gremios o asociaciones.

Muerte cerebral o muerte encefálica: la muerte es una sola / Brain death or encephalic death: the death is only one

Historic aspects are described of the concept of death and alter brain death. We analyzed definition and characteristics of coma without answer, cerebral trunk activity absence. Theyare described and details the execution of the test of apnea and its limits. It is analyzed some differential diagnostics and movements that can be found in brain death. Some complementaryexams are indicated and by finalize legal aspects are discussed.

Programa de donación de órganos y tejidos de individuos con muerte cerebral en San Luis Potosí: impacto de los aspectos médico-legales en los resultados de 1999-2002 / Program of organ and tissue donation in subjects with cerebral death in the State of San Luis Potosí between 1999-2002: legal implications and study results

Introducción: Los programas de transplante de órganos de donador fallecido requieren una estructura compleja desde el punto de vista médico, logístico y cultural. Material y métodos: Se analizó la detección de posibles donadores en el estado de San Luis Potosí, del 21 de agosto de 1999 al 30 de agosto de 2002; se estudiaron las principales causas de muerte cerebral, su conversión a donadores, las implicaciones médicolegales y las causas de donación y no donación. Resultados: 71.42% de donadores y 64.15% de los no donadores tuvieron implicaciones médico-legales. La principal causa de muerte cerebral fue el traumatismo craneoencefálico (66.97%). La tasa de donantes por millón de habitantes fue de 8.3. Conclusiones: El manejo adecuado de los aspectos médico-legales influye en la tasa de donadores fallecidos lograda. Esto, aunado a la coordinación y efectividad del Consejo Estatal de Trasplantes, permitió obtener la tasa más alta de donación de este tipo en México.

INTRODUCTION: The transplantation program of organs obtained from deceased donors requires a complex structural organization. Medical, logistic, and cultural aspects must be taken into account. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed the detection of possible organ donors in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, from August 21, 1999 to August 30, 2002. We studied the main causes of brain death, donor conversion, legal implications, reasons for donation and refusal to donate. RESULTS: 71.42% of donors and 64.15% of non donors required legal intervention. The main cause of brain death was brain traumatic injury (66.97%). The donation rate per one million inhabitants was 8.3. CONCLUSIONS: Adequate forensic management has a positive influence on achieved deceased donors. An effective team work and coordination with the State Council of Transplants has allowed the State of San Luis Potosí to have the highest rate of organ donation in Mexico.

Morte encefálica, cuidados ao doador de órgãos e transplante de pulmão / Brain death, multiorgan donor and lung transplantation

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: O transplante de órgãos é aceito como uma opção para doença orgânica terminal, em pacientes bem selecionados. Este é o resultado de grandes avanços nos campos da Imunologia, da Tecnologia da Terapia Intensiva e da Farmacologia. Entretanto, os sistemas de transplantes são, atualmente, vítimas de seu próprio sucesso, à medida que as listas de espera se alongam, em contraste com a disponibilidade de órgãos, que permanece estável, acarretando crescente número de mortes nestas filas de espera. A comunidade de transplante respondeu a esta situação revendo os critérios de aceitabilidade de doadores e desenvolvendo novas estratégias na obtenção de órgãos (como nos casos de captação após a parada circulatória). CONTEÚDO: Entretanto muito se evoluiu na compreensão da fisiopatologia da morte encefálica e suas conseqüências visando a melhor manutenção do doador potencial de múltiplos órgãos e utilização destes. Este artigo procurou discutir os pontos de maior interesse na manutenção clínica do paciente com morte encefálica, correlacionando com a sua fisiopatologia e apontando os pontos considerados de maior relevância específica como a depleção de aminas vasoativas e a manutenção dos sistemas cardiorrespiratório, distúrbios endócrinos e hidroeletrolítcos. Observam-se também algumas recomendações quanto ao aproveitamento e de órgãos específicos (coração, pulmão, rim e fígado). CONCLUSÕES: Com o aumento significativo das listas de espera por órgãos e a escassez de órgãos disponíveis leva-nos a um esforço para aprimorar as técnicas existentes de captação e preservação, assim como desenvolver novas medidas para seu aproveitamento de forma a reduzir a mortalidade nas filas de espera que são sempre uma sombra nos programas de transplantes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Organ transplantation is now an accepted option for end stage organ disease in well selected patients. This position is a result of great advances in the field of immunology, critical care medicine and pharmacology. However, organ transplantation is now suffering from its own success as the number of patients in waiting lists is dramatically increasing the same is not happening with organ availability results in increasing number of mortalities while waiting for transplantation. Transplant community responses to this situation consist of reviewing the criteria for organ acceptability and developing new strategies to get organs as the called non-heart beating organ donors. CONTENTS: However the physiopathology of brain death and its consequences are now better understood helping in such patients' management. The purpose of this review is to help to identify the most important clinical and therapeutic aspects related to its physiopathology as depletion of vasoactives substances and its importance in the management of cardio and respiratory systems. We also discuss endocrine and hidroelectrolytes disturbances. Organ specific data are also focused in order to offer a whole view of donor management. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to observe that new technologies will be available in the near future to diminish the low rate between organ availability and organ waiting patients. In conclusion, with the raising numbers in transplant waiting lists and scarce resources of organs make us believe that we have to improve the management of multi organ donors and the preservation technology in order to reduce the mortality in such waiting lists.

The debate about death: an imperishable discussion?

In this concise review we discuss some of the complex edges of the concept of death that arose after the notorious advances in science and medicine over the last 50 years, in which the classical cardio-pulmonary criteria have led to the neurological criteria of death. New complicated questions like the definition of death and the operational criteria for diagnosing it have arisen and we think that they are far from being adequately and satisfactorily solved. A number of important issues -like the reliability and differences between cardio-pulmonary versus brain based criteria of death, if death is an event or a process, the meaning of integration and irreversibility- have not yet received sufficient attention. Here we have approached the death problem from two (biological) complex system perspectives: the organism level and the cellular-molecular level. We also discuss issues from a third systemic approach, that is, the entire society, thus involving legal, religious, bioethical and political aspects of death. Our aim is to integrate new perspectives in order to promote further discussion on these critical yet frequently neglected issues.

Diagnóstico de muerte encefálica en la legislación peruana actual / Diagnosis of brian death in current peruvian legislation

En mayo del 2005 fue promulgado el Decreto Supremo Nº 014-2005-SA, aprobando el Reglamento de la Ley General de Donación y Trasplante de órganos y/o Tejidos Humanos. Como médico neurólogo, interesado por formación profesional en el tema, he considerado pertinente analizar específicamente el contenido del título II, que trata del 'Diagnóstico de muerte', y opinar acerca de las características del mismo, señalando sus virtudes y también los errores detectados, que lamentablemente son varios, con el fin de contribuir a optimizar en nuestro país la normatividad jurídica sobre asuntos de tanta significación, como son la determinación de la muerte y los criterios que deben usarse para certificar su diagnóstico, ya sea mediante la verificación del cese irreversible de la función cardiorrespiratoria (cuyo protocolo diagnóstico ha sido ignorado en la reciente ley) o la desaparición de la actividad encefálica, denominada muerte encefálica, en el mencionado Título II.

Morte encefálica: um paradigma da doação de órgãos

O presente trabalho apresenta uma revisão bibliográfica sobre o conceito de morte. Busca identificar os critérios para o diagnóstico de morte encefálica, bem como conhecer o protocolo de morte encefálica. Enfoca a legislação vigente sobre o tema e descreve os critérios para a doação de órgãos e tecidos.

Muerte encefálica: una perspectiva desde la unidad de pacientes críticos / Brian death: a critical care units perspective

Sobre ®muerte encefálica¼ existe una amplia variedad de discursos, transformándose en un ®problema¼ social y sanitario producto de la irrupción de los Cuidados Intensivos, pues los criterios tradicionalmente utilizados para la definición de muerte ya no cubren todas las condiciones que enfrentan los clínicos. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar el concepto de muerte encefálica, mirado desde el interior de la Unidad de Pacientes Críticos, una perspectiva que no está representada en la literatura nacional. Se revisa el criterio neurológico de muerte que surge para dar respuesta a los vacíos que se generaron de las insuficiencias del criterio cardiopulmonar una vez masificada la práctica de la Medicina Intensiva. La muerte producida en tales unidades no será un hecho natural espontáneo, sino un evento intervenido. La reanimación cardiopulmonar y la sustitución de funciones abren un nuevo contexto que impulsa a la sociedad a considerar la práctica clínica como una instancia de encuentro con la ética, y por tanto un fuerte catalizador de la bioética. El criterio neurológico de muerte, llamado habitualmente ®muerte encefálica¼, ha significado un cambio de paradigma en la práctica de la medicina, y el escenario de ello ha sido la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos. Tanto el equipo de salud como la sociedad, nos vemos enfrentados a situaciones de complejidad no vistas antes, que exigen a cada uno de los actores voluntad de entendimiento, diálogo permanente y prudencia en las decisiones.