Prediction of Apnea Testing Duration to Ensure Safety During Brain Death Assessment.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Apnea testing is the last step of brain death assessment. This study aimed to determine whether apnea testing is safer when performed over a shorter duration. METHODS: The medical records of 200 brain-dead donors were retrospectively evaluated. All the records were anonymously registered in the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare from 1999 to 2012. The rate of [Formula see text] increase was analyzed to calculate the duration required for apnea testing. RESULTS: At baseline, body temperature and [Formula see text] significantly affected the increase rate of [Formula see text]. At baseline, the apnea testing durations were 4.7 min with normal body temperature and higher [Formula see text] ([Formula see text] 40-60 mm Hg, body temperature 36.5°C, [Formula see text] 400 mm Hg); further, it was 3.0 min with higher body temperature and lower [Formula see text] at baseline ([Formula see text] 40-60 mm Hg, body temperature 38.0°C, [Formula see text] 100 mm Hg). CONCLUSIONS: The specific duration of apnea testing during brain death assessment may be predicted by measuring the increase rate of [Formula see text].