ORGAN DONATION FOLLOWING BRAIN DEATH (DBD)
What does brain death mean?
Brain death, also known as death by neurological criteria, occurs in patients who have suffered a severe injury to the brain. As a result of the injury, the brain swells and obstructs its own blood supply causing brain tissue to die and permanent loss of brain function. Brain death is permanent and irreversible. It is a legal definition of death. However, the vital organs such as the heart, lungs, liver, pancreas and kidneys can be kept viable for a few days if supported by artificial or mechanical support.
What causes brain death?
Death of the brain can occur from illness or accidental injuries. High blood pressure can cause bleeding into the brain and result in death. A heart attack will stop oxygen flow to the brain, which may cause the brain to die. A brain infection, brain tumor or a traumatic injury may cause the brain to swell and lead to death.
How does a physician determine brain death?
A physician conducts medical tests to make the diagnosis of brain death. Tests include a clinical examination to show that the patient has no brain reflexes and cannot breathe on their own. Other testing may include a blood flow test or an EEG (electroencephalogram). These tests may be done to confirm the absence of blood flow or brain activity.
The patient may exhibit spinal activity or reflexes, such as twitching or muscle contractions. Spinal reflexes are caused by electrical impulses that remain in the spinal column. These reflexes are possible even after brain death.
I have always understood that when a person dies, the heart stops beating. If my loved one is brain dead, why does their heart continue to beat?
The heart has the ability to beat independently of the brain as long as it has oxygen. The heart eventually will stop. All body systems gradually stop working soon after brain death. This process cannot be reversed.
Is it possible that our loved one is just in a coma?
A patient in a coma is medically and legally alive. They may breathe when the ventilator is removed or have brain activity. People who are brain dead are not in a coma.
Brain death, also known as death by neurological criteria, occurs in patients who have suffered a severe injury to the brain. As a result of the injury, the brain swells and obstructs its own blood supply causing brain tissue to die and permanent loss of brain function. Brain death is permanent and irreversible. It is a legal definition of death. However, the vital organs such as the heart, lungs, liver, pancreas and kidneys can be kept viable for a few days if supported by artificial or mechanical support.
What causes brain death?
Death of the brain can occur from illness or accidental injuries. High blood pressure can cause bleeding into the brain and result in death. A heart attack will stop oxygen flow to the brain, which may cause the brain to die. A brain infection, brain tumor or a traumatic injury may cause the brain to swell and lead to death.
How does a physician determine brain death?
A physician conducts medical tests to make the diagnosis of brain death. Tests include a clinical examination to show that the patient has no brain reflexes and cannot breathe on their own. Other testing may include a blood flow test or an EEG (electroencephalogram). These tests may be done to confirm the absence of blood flow or brain activity.
The patient may exhibit spinal activity or reflexes, such as twitching or muscle contractions. Spinal reflexes are caused by electrical impulses that remain in the spinal column. These reflexes are possible even after brain death.
I have always understood that when a person dies, the heart stops beating. If my loved one is brain dead, why does their heart continue to beat?
The heart has the ability to beat independently of the brain as long as it has oxygen. The heart eventually will stop. All body systems gradually stop working soon after brain death. This process cannot be reversed.
Is it possible that our loved one is just in a coma?
A patient in a coma is medically and legally alive. They may breathe when the ventilator is removed or have brain activity. People who are brain dead are not in a coma.
Does the patient feel any pain or suffer after brain death is declared?
When a patient is declared brain dead, they are deceased. When someone is deceased, they cannot feel pain or suffer.
Is there anything else that can be done?
Everything that can be done to save your loved one’s life is done before brain death is declared. After the diagnosis of brain death is made, there is no chance of recovery.
Are there any proven cases where patients were declared brain dead and later restored to normal life?
Brain death is irreversible. When you hear about someone who was brain dead and recovered, they were in a deep coma with slight brain activity. In brain death, there is no brain activity.
Are all families approached about the option of organ donation?
Organ donation is a rare opportunity that is only viable for less than four percent of the population. This extraordinary gift offers a lasting legacy and a way families can honor their loved one.
Why must the ventilator be kept on after a person is declared brain dead?
The ventilator is needed to provide oxygen to the vital organs. Without oxygen, the organs would cease to function and would not be viable for transplant.
When a patient is declared brain dead, they are deceased. When someone is deceased, they cannot feel pain or suffer.
Is there anything else that can be done?
Everything that can be done to save your loved one’s life is done before brain death is declared. After the diagnosis of brain death is made, there is no chance of recovery.
Are there any proven cases where patients were declared brain dead and later restored to normal life?
Brain death is irreversible. When you hear about someone who was brain dead and recovered, they were in a deep coma with slight brain activity. In brain death, there is no brain activity.
Are all families approached about the option of organ donation?
Organ donation is a rare opportunity that is only viable for less than four percent of the population. This extraordinary gift offers a lasting legacy and a way families can honor their loved one.
Why must the ventilator be kept on after a person is declared brain dead?
The ventilator is needed to provide oxygen to the vital organs. Without oxygen, the organs would cease to function and would not be viable for transplant.
What happens next?
If the patient has not previously registered as a donor, LifeShare will obtain authorization from the legal next of kin, as well as an extensive medical and social history. Some blood may be drawn for testing and other diagnostic tests may be performed. This is a routine procedure and part of the process that ensures the patient can be a donor.
The donation process will be explained by a donation coordinator and the hospital staff will work together to offer support for the patient, family and others who may be part of this experience.
Will our religion support our decision about organ and tissue donation?
Most religions support organ and tissue donation as an unselfish act of charity.
If the patient has not previously registered as a donor, LifeShare will obtain authorization from the legal next of kin, as well as an extensive medical and social history. Some blood may be drawn for testing and other diagnostic tests may be performed. This is a routine procedure and part of the process that ensures the patient can be a donor.
The donation process will be explained by a donation coordinator and the hospital staff will work together to offer support for the patient, family and others who may be part of this experience.
Will our religion support our decision about organ and tissue donation?
Most religions support organ and tissue donation as an unselfish act of charity.