Citation

Robert F, Mumenthaler M. Schweiz. Med. Wochenschr. 1977; 107(10): 335-341.

Vernacular Title

Kriterien des Hirntodes. Die spinalen Reflexe bei 45 eigenen Beobachtungen

Copyright

(Copyright © 1977, EMH Swiss Medical Publishers)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

847433

Abstract

In 45 patients without spontaneous breathing or cranial reflexes, and in whom blood pressure had to be supported, spinal reflexes were obtained in 60% and polysynaptic spinal reflexes in 33%. In all cases angiography showed cerebral circulatory arrest and/or repeated EEG recording gave an isoelectric line. The presence of spinal reflexes, appearing most frequently 6-36 h after death (which we defined as a sudden fall in blood pressure below 80 mm Hg with absence of spontaneous breathing) is not in contradiction with the assumption of brain death. 9 patients without signs of intoxication showed, in addition, a fall in body temperature below 34 degrees C. Such a fall in body temperature also in agreement with the diagnosis of brain death.

Language: de