Imminent brain death: point of departure for potential heart-beating organ donor recognition

Contains fulltext : 88186.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)PURPOSE: There is, in European countries that conduct medical chart review of intensive care unit (ICU) deaths, no consensus on uniform criteria for defining a potential organ donor. Although the term is increasingly being used in recent literature, it is seldom defined in detail. We searched for criteria for determination of imminent brain death, which can be seen as a precursor for organ donation. METHODS: We organized meetings with representatives from the field of clinical neurology, neurotraumatology, intensive care medicine, transplantation medicine, clinical intensive care ethics, and organ procurement management. During these meetings, all possible criteria were discussed to identify a patient with a reasonable probability to become brain dead (imminent brain death). We focused on the practical usefulness of two validated coma scales (Glasgow Coma Scale and the FOUR Score), brain stem reflexes and respiration to define imminent brain death. Further we discussed criteria to determine irreversibility and futility in acute neurological conditions. RESULTS: A patient who fulfills the definition of imminent brain death is a mechanically ventilated deeply comatose patient, admitted to an ICU, with irreversible catastrophic brain damage of known origin. A condition of imminent brain death requires either a Glasgow Coma Score of 3 and the progressive absence of at least three out of six brain stem reflexes or a FOUR score of E(0)M(0)B(0)R(0). CONCLUSION: The definition of imminent brain death can be used as a point of departure for potential heart-beating organ donor recognition on the intensive care unit or retrospective medical chart analysis.1 september 201

Pancreatic transplantation using portal venous and enteric drainage:The postoperative appearance of a new surgical procedure

Purpose: To review the normal radiologic appearance of pancreatic transplants that use portal venous and enteric drainage, and to review the appearance of a variety of postoperative complications. Method: We retrospectively reviewed the computed tomographic (CT) scans, magnetic resonance (MR) images, and ultrasounds of patients who had undergone pancreatic transplantation using portal venous and enteric drainage. Results: At CT, the normal pancreatic transplant appears as a heterogeneous mass composed of pancreatic parenchyma, vessels, and omental wrap. On MR imaging, a normal transplant demonstrates intermediate signal intensity on T1- and T2-weighted sequences. Sonographic evaluation of a normal transplant reveals a hypoechoic gland that contains readily detectable low-resistance arterial and venous Doppler waveforms. Acute postoperative complications include acute rejection, which has a nonspecific radiologic appearance, and transplant pancreatitis, which is often manifested on CT by stranding of the peritransplant fat. Chronic postoperative complications include small bowel obstructions, graft pancreatitis secondary to obstruction of the Roux loop, and chronic rejection. Conclusion: Knowledge of the radiologic appearance of the normal pancreatic transplant is required before transplant-related complications can be detected

Venous Thromboembolism After Trauma

Among hospitalized patients, injury represents the single most significant risk factor for the development of venous thromboembolism. Without any form of prophylaxis, either deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism will occur inn up to 55% of patients. In this chapter, we review the incidence, pathogenesis, risk factors, prophylaxis, and treatment of venous thromboembolism following trauma