HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Correspondence: Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when Correspondence are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Goudreau, J. L. Articles by Emery, S. F. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Goudreau, J. L. Articles by Emery, S. F.

Complications during apnea testing in the determination of brain death: Predisposing factors

From the Neurological–Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit, Department of Neurology (Drs. Goudreau and Wijdicks), Saint Mary’s Hospital, Mayo Medical Center; and LifeSource (Upper Midwest Organ Procurement Organization, Inc.) (S.F. Emery), Rochester, MN.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. E.F.M. Wijdicks, Mayo Clinic, W8B, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905; e-mail: wijde{at}mayo.edu

Apnea testing in brain death determination may result in cardiovascular complications. Hypotension occurred in 24% and cardiac arrhythmias occurred in <1% of the 145 apneic oxygenation procedures. Complications were noted in only 15% of apnea tests performed without any predisposing factors. Significantly more complications (39%) were observed in apnea tests with inadequate precautions, particularly in apnea tests without adequate preoxygenation (50%).

This article has been cited by other articles:

				D. M. Greer, P. N. Varelas, S. Haque, and E. F.M. Wijdicks Variability of brain death determination guidelines in leading US neurologic institutions Neurology, January 22, 2008; 70(4): 284 - 289. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. S. Jeret, J. L. Goudreau, S. F. Emery, and E. F.M. Wijdicks Complications during apnea testing in the determination of brain death: Predisposing factors Neurology, May 8, 2001; 56(9): 1249 - 1249. [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. F.M. Wijdicks The Diagnosis of Brain Death N. Engl. J. Med., April 19, 2001; 344(16): 1215 - 1221. [Full Text] [PDF]

				E F M Wijdicks, J L D Atkinson, and H Okazaki Isolated medulla oblongata function after severe traumatic brain injury J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry, January 1, 2001; 70(1): 127 - 129. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]