Brain death declaration: Practices and perceptions worldwide.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To assess the practices and perceptions of brain death determination worldwide and analyze the extent and nature of variations among countries.

Methods

An electronic survey was distributed globally to physicians with expertise in neurocritical care, neurology, or related disciplines who would encounter patients at risk of brain death.

Results

Most countries (n = 91, response rate 76%) reported a legal provision (n = 63, 70%) and an institutional protocol (n = 70, 77%) for brain death. Institutional protocols were less common in lower-income countries (2/9 of low [22%], 9/18 lower-middle [50%], 22/26 upper-middle [85%], and 37/38 high-income countries [97%], p < 0.001). Countries with an organized transplant network were more likely to have a brain death prov

SUBMITTER: Wahlster S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4433464 | biostudies-literature | 2015 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature