Brain Death: Understanding What It Means and When It Is Declared

The irreversible loss of brain function has been highlighted in the medical report of Uruguayan player Juan Izquierdo

Tuesday 27th, the Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital confirmed the Death of Uruguayan player Juan IzquierdoWhich I felt bad on the pitch last Thursday, 22nd, and since then he had been hospitalized. The medical report shows that the defender suffered brain death following a cardiorespiratory arrest associated cardiac arrhythmia.

Also known as brain death, brain death is the complete and irreversible loss of brain function. Since the brain controls other organs, when death is confirmed, other vital functions will also be lost and the person will be declared dead.

What constitutes brain death?

To function, neurons need oxygen and glucose, which reach the brain from blood circulation. When a problem impedes blood flow, these cells can die and brain function is impaired. If the loss of function is complete and irreversible, brain death is declared.

“You still have a beating heart. You still have other functioning organs, but the brain is no longer able to control anything at all,” explains Antonio Netto, a neurologist at the BP – Portuguese Charity of St. Paul.

Although there is still a heartbeat, for example, they tend to stop when the brain stops controlling them. Even breathing will not be possible without the help of equipment.

“To talk about life, we have to talk about the complete functioning of the brain. And we are not even talking about cortical functions, attention, memory and intelligence. We are talking about the most basic and primitive functions of the brain, which are precisely reflexes,” adds Netto.

What can cause brain death?

Any problem that disrupts brain function before disrupting the functioning of other parts of the body causes brain death. Common causes include:

• cardiorespiratory arrest;
• infectious diseases affecting the central nervous system;
• brain tumor;
• traumas.

When is brain death declared?

In Brazil, the resolution no. 2.173/17 From Federal Medical Council (FMC) establishes rigorous criteria for declaring brain death. According to Netto, protocols can vary by country, and the Brazilian definition is one of the most careful in the world.

The CFM requires that a series of tests be performed to demonstrate the loss of the brainstem reflex, which is responsible for controlling the body’s autonomic functions, such as breathing.

This analysis must be carried out by two doctors examining the patient at different times and the results must also be supplemented by an examination, such as an electroencephalogram or a tomography.

The CFM does not require that the professionals responsible for the investigation be neurologists. “We do not have neurologists available in different parts of the country,” Netto recalls. But the municipality itself and several hospitals throughout Brazil offer courses that prepare professionals to diagnose brain death according to all the criteria.

brain death and organ donation

The “Transplant Law” (Law no. 9.434/1997) establishes that the organ donation after death can only be performed when brain death is confirmed.

When this happens, the patient’s vital functions are artificially maintained until the organs are removed, Netto explains. In these cases, drugs that maintain blood pressure and ventilation devices that simulate breathing are used.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.