Optimal duration of the apnea test for determining brain death: Benefit of the short-term apnea test.

Abstract

BackgroundThe criteria for brain death determination have not been unified globally, and there is no global consensus on the apnea test, which is essential for determining brain death. Since the apnea test is associated with many complications, we aimed to determine an optimal duration of the apnea test.MethodsWe analyzed the results of the apnea test performed for brain death determination between August 2013 and February 2021 at a single institution in South Korea. Elevations in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide and mean arterial blood pressure fluctuations over time in the apnea test were recorded.ResultsIn the 1st and 2nd tests, the mean partial pressure of carbon dioxide increased by more than 20 mmHg at 3 min after the apnea test compared to before the test (P ConclusionsOur study proposes that a short-term apnea test protocol is valid for the preservation of organs for donation.