Bilateral Pneumothorax during Apnea Test: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Brain death is characterized by irreversible loss of all brain functions and it is defined as a clinical condition where intracranial circulation stops. Apnea test is one of the tests which is used in the clinical diagnosis of brain death, absence of brain stem reflexes, and as a complement to absence of motor response to painful stimulants. Apnea test is a test which has a high complication rate. Complications such as hypoxia, hypotension, acidosis, cardiac arrhythmia, asystole, pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum and pneumoperitoneum may develop during an apnea test. In this case report, a patient with biletarel pneumothorax due to air trapping because of an oxygen cannula blocking the airway.

Keywords

• Apnea test
• pneumothorax
• complication
• barotrauma