The evolution of brain death criteria: From historical foundations to modern standards.

The concept of brain death, or death by neurologic criteria (BD/DNC), marks a transformative shift in defining death, moving from traditional cardiorespiratory cessation to neurological criteria driven by advancements in critical care and organ transplantation. This manuscript traces the evolution f...

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Publicado en:Critical Care & Shock Vol. 28; no. 5; pp. 239 - 246
Autores principales: Varon, Joseph, Hussaini, Najia, Nanlohy, Simon
Formato: tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Critical Care & Shock Journal 2025
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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        atl: The evolution of brain death criteria: From historical foundations to modern standards.
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          Varon, Joseph
          Hussaini, Najia
          Nanlohy, Simon
        affil: The University of Houston College of Medicine
      sug:
        subj:
          Brain Death History
          Brain Death Ethical Issues
          Practice Guidelines
          Brain Death Diagnosis
          Critical Care Standards
          Ethics, Medical
          Legislation, Medical
          Organ Donation Ethical Issues
          Neurologic Examination Standards
          Patient History Taking
          Electroencephalography
      ab: The concept of brain death, or death by neurologic criteria (BD/DNC), marks a transformative shift in defining death, moving from traditional cardiorespiratory cessation to neurological criteria driven by advancements in critical care and organ transplantation. This manuscript traces the evolution from 1950s European observations and the 1968 Harvard Committee report to the 1981 Uniform Determination of Death Act (UDDA) and the 2023 AAN/AAP/CNS/SCCM consensus guidelines. It explores historical milestones, modern clinical protocols, ancillary testing, and ongoing controversies, including the whole brain versus brainstem debate, ethical issues in organ donation, and cultural and religious objections. Emphasizing scientific rigor and interdisciplinary perspectives, this review advocates for global standardization while addressing critiques that brain death conflates dying with death.
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      doctype:
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
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    language: English
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