Türk Nöroloji Dergisi (Mar 2021)

Brain Death Diagnosis and Management in the Pandemic: Expert Opinion of the Turkish Neurological Society Neurological Intensive Care Scientific Working Group

  • Tuğçe Mengi,
  • Hadiye Şirin,
  • Erdem Yaka,
  • Atilla Özcan Özdemir,
  • Ethem Murat Arsava,
  • Mehmet Akif Topçuoğlu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4274/tnd.2021.88785
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 27, no. 1
pp. 1 – 4

Abstract

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In the pandemic year, the number of brain death declarations decreased by more than 50% compared with previous years. The timely diagnosis of brain death is critical in terms of rational use of intensive care facilities, as well as organ transplantation. Apnea testing should not be omitted in patients with COVID-19, and can be performed either with apneic oxygenation method or ventilator-based spontaneous modes when standard prerequisites are met. Complete compliance with personal protection measures and prevention of the environmental escape of the expiratory air via tube clamping or filtering is essential. Other declaration processes should be conducted in accordance with the 2014 guidelines of the Turkish Neurology Association.

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