Which physiological criteria would exclude a patient from brainstem death testing?

Factor

Lower Limit

Upper Limits

Comments

Temperature Disturbance

34°c

Impaired consciousness can occur below 34°c

Biochemistry Disturbance

Derangements clearly the result of brainstem death (e.g. hyponatraemia of DI) may not require correction prior to testing

Sodium

115 mmol/l

160 mmol/l

Potassium

2 mmol/l

Magnesium

0.5 mmol/l

3.0 mmol/l

Phosphate

0.5 mmol/l

3.0 mmol/l

Glucose

3 mmol/l

20 mmol/l

Endocrine Disturbance

If there is any clinical reason to expect endocrine disturbances, hormonal assays should be undertaken.

Respiratory and Haemodynamic Disturbance

Requirement for cardiorespiratory stability is an important new prerequisite

7.35

7.45

pCO2

6.0 kPa

pO2

10 kPa

MAP

60 mmHg