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Saavedra-Mitjans M, Frenette AJ, McCredie VA, Burry L, Arbour C, Mehta S, Charbonney E, Wang HT, Albert M, Bernard F, Williamson D. Physicians' beliefs and perceived importance of traumatic brain injury-associated agitation in critically ill patients: a survey of Canadian intensivists. Can J Anaesth 2024; 71:264-273. [PMID: 38129356 DOI: 10.1007/s12630-023-02666-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Agitation is a common behavioural problem following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Intensive care unit (ICU) physicians' perspectives regarding TBI-associated agitation are unknown. Our objective was to describe physicians' beliefs and perceived importance of TBI-associated agitation in critically ill patients. METHODS Following current standard guidance, we built an electronic, self-administrated, 42-item survey, pretested it for reliability and validity, and distributed it to 219 physicians working in 18 ICU level-1 trauma centres in Canada. We report the results using descriptive statistics. RESULTS The overall response rate was 93/219 (42%), and 76/93 (82%) respondents completed the full survey. Most respondents were men with ten or more years of experience. Respondents believed that pre-existing dementia (90%) and regular recreational drug use (86%) are risk factors for agitation. Concerning management, 91% believed that the use of physical restraints could worsen agitation, 90% believed that having family at the bedside reduces agitation, and 72% believed that alpha-2 adrenergic agonists are efficacious for managing TBI agitation. Variability was observed in beliefs on epidemiology, sex, gender, age, socioeconomic status, and other pharmacologic options. Respondents considered TBI agitation frequent enough to justify the implementation of management protocols (87%), perceived the current level of clinical evidence on TBI agitation management to be insufficient (84%), and expressed concerns about acute and long-term detrimental outcomes and burden to patients, health care professionals, and relatives (85%). CONCLUSION Traumatic brain injury-associated agitation in critically ill patients was perceived as an important issue for most ICU physicians. Physicians agreed on multiple approaches to manage TBI-associated agitation although agreement on epidemiology and risk factors was variable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mar Saavedra-Mitjans
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Research Center, Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et de Services Sociaux du Nord-de-l'île-de-Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Anne Julie Frenette
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Research Center, Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et de Services Sociaux du Nord-de-l'île-de-Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Pharmacy Department, Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Victoria A McCredie
- Department of Medicine, Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University Health Network and Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Krembil Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lisa Burry
- Department of Pharmacy, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Caroline Arbour
- Research Center, Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et de Services Sociaux du Nord-de-l'île-de-Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Faculty of Nursing, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sangeeta Mehta
- Department of Medicine, Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Sinai Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Emmanuel Charbonney
- Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Research Centre, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Han Ting Wang
- Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Research Centre, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Martin Albert
- Research Center, Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et de Services Sociaux du Nord-de-l'île-de-Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Francis Bernard
- Research Center, Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et de Services Sociaux du Nord-de-l'île-de-Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - David Williamson
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Research Center, Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et de Services Sociaux du Nord-de-l'île-de-Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Pharmacy Department, Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Hansen KIT, Kelsen J, Othman MH, Stavngaard T, Kondziella D. Confirmatory digital subtraction angiography after clinical brain death/death by neurological criteria: impact on number of donors and organ transplants. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15759. [PMID: 37492400 PMCID: PMC10364806 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Demand for organs exceeds the number of transplants available, underscoring the need to optimize organ donation procedures. However, protocols for determining brain death (BD)/death by neurological criteria (DNC) vary considerably worldwide. In Denmark, digital subtraction angiography (DSA) is the only legally approved confirmatory test for diagnosing BD/DNC. We investigated the effect of the time delay caused by (repeat) confirmatory DSA on the number of organs donated by patients meeting clinical criteria for BD/DNC. We hypothesized that, first, patients investigated with ≥2 DSAs donate fewer organs than those investigated with a single DSA; second, radiological interpretation of DSA is subject to interrater variability; and third, residual intracranial circulation is inversely correlated with inotropic blood pressure support. Methods All DSAs performed over a 7-year period as part of BD/DNC protocols at Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark, were included. Clinical data were extracted from electronic health records. DSAs were reinterpreted by an independent neurinterventionist blinded to the original radiological reports. Results We identified 130 DSAs in 100 eligible patients. Patients with ≥2 DSAs (n = 20) donated fewer organs (1.7 +/- 1.6 SD) than patients undergoing a single DSA (n = 80, 2.6 +/- 1.7 organs, p = 0.03), and they became less often donors (n = 12, 60%) than patients with just 1 DSA (n = 65, 81.3%; p = 0.04). Interrater agreement of radiological DSA interpretation was 88.5% (Cohen's kappa = 0.76). Patients with self-maintained blood pressure had more often residual intracranial circulation (n = 13/26, 50%) than patients requiring inotropic support (n = 14/74, 18.9%; OR = 0.23, 95% CI [0.09-0.61]; p = 0.002). Discussion In potential donors who fulfill clinical BD/DNC criteria, delays caused by repetition of confirmatory DSA result in lost donors and organ transplants. Self-maintained blood pressure at the time of clinical BD/DNC increases the odds for residual intracranial circulation, creating diagnostic uncertainty because radiological DSA interpretation is not uniform. We suggest that avoiding unnecessary repetition of confirmatory investigations like DSA may result in more organs donated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Irgens Tanderup Hansen
- University of Southern Denmark, Faculty of Health Science, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jesper Kelsen
- Department of Radiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marwan H. Othman
- Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Trine Stavngaard
- Department of Radiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Daniel Kondziella
- Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Neves Briard J, Nitulescu R, Lemoine É, Titova P, McIntyre L, English SW, Knoll G, Shemie SD, Martin C, Turgeon AF, Lauzier F, Fergusson DA, Chassé M. Diagnostic accuracy of ancillary tests for death by neurologic criteria: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Can J Anaesth 2023; 70:736-748. [PMID: 37155120 PMCID: PMC10202988 DOI: 10.1007/s12630-023-02426-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Ancillary tests are frequently used in death determination by neurologic criteria (DNC), particularly when the clinical neurologic examination is unreliable. Nevertheless, their diagnostic accuracy has not been extensively studied. Our objective was to synthesize the sensitivity and specificity of commonly used ancillary tests for DNC. SOURCE We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis by searching MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane databases, and CINAHL Ebsco from their inception to 4 February 2022. We selected cohort and case-control studies including patients with 1) clinically diagnosed death by neurologic criteria or 2) clinically suspected death by neurologic criteria who underwent ancillary testing for DNC. We excluded studies without a priori diagnostic criteria and studies conducted solely on pediatric patients. Accepted reference standards were clinical examination, four-vessel conventional angiography, and radionuclide imaging. Data were directly extracted from published reports. We assessed the methodological quality of studies with the QUADAS-2 tool and estimated ancillary test sensitivities and specificities using hierarchical Bayesian models with diffuse priors. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Overall, 137 records met the selection criteria. One study (0.7%) had a low risk of bias in all QUADAS-2 domains. Among clinically diagnosed death by neurologic criteria patients (n = 8,891), ancillary tests had similar pooled sensitivities (range, 0.82-0.93). Sensitivity heterogeneity was greater within (σ = 0.10-0.15) than between (σ = 0.04) ancillary test types. Among clinically suspected death by neurologic criteria patients (n = 2,732), pooled ancillary test sensitivities ranged between 0.81 and 1.00 and specificities between 0.87 and 1.00. Most estimates had high statistical uncertainty. CONCLUSION Studies assessing ancillary test diagnostic accuracy have an unclear or high risk of bias. High-quality studies are required to thoroughly validate ancillary tests for DNC. STUDY REGISTRATION PROSPERO (CRD42013005907); registered 7 October 2013.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel Neves Briard
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, 900 rue Saint-Denis, Montreal, QC, H2X 3H8, Canada
| | - Roy Nitulescu
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, 900 rue Saint-Denis, Montreal, QC, H2X 3H8, Canada
| | - Émile Lemoine
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Polina Titova
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, 900 rue Saint-Denis, Montreal, QC, H2X 3H8, Canada
| | - Lauralyn McIntyre
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Shane W English
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Greg Knoll
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Sam D Shemie
- Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Claudio Martin
- Department of Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, ON, Canada
| | - Alexis F Turgeon
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Research Unit (Trauma-Emergency-Critical Care Medicine), CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - François Lauzier
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Research Unit (Trauma-Emergency-Critical Care Medicine), CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Dean A Fergusson
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Michaël Chassé
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, 900 rue Saint-Denis, Montreal, QC, H2X 3H8, Canada.
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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4
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Shemie SD, Wilson LC, Hornby L, Basmaji J, Baker AJ, Bensimon CM, Chandler JA, Chassé M, Dawson R, Dhanani S, Mooney OT, Sarti AJ, Simpson C, Teitelbaum J, Torrance S, Boyd JG, Brennan J, Brewster H, Carignan R, Dawe KJ, Doig CJ, Elliott-Pohl K, Gofton TE, Hartwick M, Healey A, Honarmand K, Hornby K, Isac G, Kanji A, Kawchuk J, Klowak JA, Kramer AH, Kromm J, LeBlanc AE, Lee-Ameduri K, Lee LA, Leeies M, Lewis A, Manara A, Matheson S, McKinnon NKA, Murphy N, Briard JN, Pope TM, Sekhon MS, Shanker JJS, Singh G, Singh J, Slessarev M, Soliman K, Sutherland S, Weiss MJ, Shaul RZ, Zuckier LS, Zorko DJ, Rochwerg B. A brain-based definition of death and criteria for its determination after arrest of circulation or neurologic function in Canada: a 2023 clinical practice guideline. Can J Anaesth 2023; 70:483-557. [PMID: 37131020 PMCID: PMC10203028 DOI: 10.1007/s12630-023-02431-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023] Open
Abstract
This 2023 Clinical Practice Guideline provides the biomedical definition of death based on permanent cessation of brain function that applies to all persons, as well as recommendations for death determination by circulatory criteria for potential organ donors and death determination by neurologic criteria for all mechanically ventilated patients regardless of organ donation potential. This Guideline is endorsed by the Canadian Critical Care Society, the Canadian Medical Association, the Canadian Association of Critical Care Nurses, Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society, the Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation (representing the Canadian Neurological Society, Canadian Neurosurgical Society, Canadian Society of Clinical Neurophysiologists, Canadian Association of Child Neurology, Canadian Society of Neuroradiology, and Canadian Stroke Consortium), Canadian Blood Services, the Canadian Donation and Transplantation Research Program, the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians, the Nurse Practitioners Association of Canada, and the Canadian Cardiovascular Critical Care Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam D Shemie
- McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Decarie Blvd, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada.
- McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- MUHC Research Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Canadian Blood Services, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | | | | | | | - Andrew J Baker
- Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | - Sonny Dhanani
- University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Owen T Mooney
- University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Transplant Manitoba Gift of Life Program, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- St. Boniface Hospital, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Aimee J Sarti
- University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Christy Simpson
- Canadian Blood Services, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Jeanne Teitelbaum
- McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Decarie Blvd, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada
- McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - J Gordon Boyd
- Kingston General Hospital, Kingston, ON, Canada
- Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Kirk J Dawe
- Eastern Health, St. John's, NL, Canada
- Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Christopher J Doig
- University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | | | | | - Michael Hartwick
- University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Ontario Health (Trillium Gift of Life Network), Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Andrew Healey
- Ontario Health (Trillium Gift of Life Network), Toronto, ON, Canada
- McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- William Osler Health System, Brampton, ON, Canada
| | - Kimia Honarmand
- Western University, London, ON, Canada
- London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada
| | | | - George Isac
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Aly Kanji
- McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Decarie Blvd, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada
- McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Joann Kawchuk
- Saskatchewan Health Authority, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | | | - Andreas H Kramer
- University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Southern Alberta Organ & Tissue Donation Program, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Julie Kromm
- University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Allana E LeBlanc
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Canadian Association of Critical Care Nurses, London, ON, Canada
| | - Katarina Lee-Ameduri
- University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- St. Boniface Hospital, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Laurie A Lee
- University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Murdoch Leeies
- University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Transplant Manitoba Gift of Life Program, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Canadian Critical Care Society, Markham, ON, Canada
| | - Ariane Lewis
- NYU Langone Medical Center, New York City, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Nicole K A McKinnon
- St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Peter Gilgan Center for Research and Learning, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | | | - Thaddeus M Pope
- University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Mitchell Hamline School of Law, Saint Paul, MN, USA
- Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
- Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, USA
- University of Minnesota Center for Bioethics, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Mypinder S Sekhon
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Gurmeet Singh
- Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Jeffrey Singh
- St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Ontario Health (Trillium Gift of Life Network), Toronto, ON, Canada
- University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Marat Slessarev
- Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Ontario Health (Trillium Gift of Life Network), Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Karim Soliman
- Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
- Ontario Health (Trillium Gift of Life Network), Toronto, ON, Canada
- Lakeridge Health, Oshawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - Matthew J Weiss
- Transplant Québec, Montreal, QC, Canada
- CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Randi Zlotnik Shaul
- St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lionel S Zuckier
- University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - David J Zorko
- St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Bram Rochwerg
- McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Canadian Critical Care Society, Markham, ON, Canada
- Canadian Critical Care Trials Group, Markham, ON, Canada
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5
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Taran S, Gros P, Gofton T, Boyd G, Briard JN, Chassé M, Singh JM. The reticular activating system: a narrative review of discovery, evolving understanding, and relevance to current formulations of brain death. Can J Anaesth 2023; 70:788-795. [PMID: 37155119 PMCID: PMC10203024 DOI: 10.1007/s12630-023-02421-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
A series of landmark experiments conducted throughout the 20th century progressively localized the regions involved in consciousness to the reticular activating system (RAS) and its ascending projections. The first description of the RAS emerged in 1949 through seminal experiments performed by Moruzzi and Magoun in feline brainstems; additional experiments in the 1950s revealed connections between the RAS and the thalamus and neocortical structures. This knowledge has allowed for the explanation of disorders of consciousness with exquisite anatomic precision. The clinical relevance of the RAS is further apparent in modern definitions of brain death/death by neurologic criteria (BD/DNC), which require demonstration of the complete and permanent loss of capacity for consciousness as one of their core criteria. BD/DNC is currently understood across jurisdictions in terms of "whole brain" and "brainstem" formulations. Although their clinical examination between formulations is indistinguishable, policies for BD/DNC declaration may differ in the rare scenario of patients with isolated infratentorial brain injuries, in which ancillary testing is advised in the whole brain formulation but not the brainstem formulation. Canadian guidelines acknowledge that the distinction between whole brain and brainstem formulations is unclear with respect to clinical implications for patients with isolated infratentorial injuries. This has led to variability in Canadian clinicians' use of ancillary testing when the mechanism of BD/DNC is suspected to be an isolated infratentorial injury. The present narrative review highlights these concepts and explores implications for determination of BD/DNC in Canada, with specific emphasis on the RAS and its relevance to both formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaurya Taran
- Department of Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Toronto Western Hospital, Office 411-L, 2nd Floor McLaughlin, 399 Bathurst St., Toronto, ON, M5T 2S8, Canada
| | - Priti Gros
- Department of Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of Neurology, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Teneille Gofton
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Gordon Boyd
- Department of Medicine (Neurology) and Critical Care Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Joel Neves Briard
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Michaël Chassé
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Université de Montréal Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jeffrey M Singh
- Department of Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Ontario Health - Trillium Gift of Life Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
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6
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Murphy NB, Hartwick M, Wilson LC, Simpson C, Shemie SD, Torrance S, Chandler JA. Rationale for revisions to the definition of death and criteria for its determination in Canada. Can J Anaesth 2023; 70:558-569. [PMID: 37131021 PMCID: PMC10203013 DOI: 10.1007/s12630-023-02407-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Clarity regarding the biomedical definition of death and the criteria for its determination is critical to inform practices in clinical care, medical research, law, and organ donation. While best practices for death determination by neurologic criteria and circulatory criteria were previously outlined in Canadian medical guidelines, several issues have arisen to force their reappraisal. Ongoing scientific discovery, corresponding changes in medical practice, and legal and ethical challenges compel a comprehensive update. Accordingly, the A Brain-Based Definition of Death and Criteria for its Determination After Arrest of Neurologic or Circulatory Function in Canada project was undertaken to a develop a unified brain-based definition of death, and to establish criteria for its determination after devastating brain injury and/or circulatory arrest. Specifically, the project had three objectives: (1) to clarify that death is defined in terms of brain functions; (2) to clarify how a brain-based definition of death is articulated; and (3) to clarify the criteria for determining if the brain-based definition is met. The updated death determination guideline therefore defines death as the permanent cessation of brain function and describes corresponding circulatory and neurologic criteria to ascertain the permanent cessation of brain function. This article explores the challenges that prompted revisions to the biomedical definition of death and the criteria for its determination and outlines the rationales underpinning the project's three objectives. By clarifying that all death is defined in terms of brain function, the project seeks to align guidelines with contemporary medicolegal understandings of the biological basis of death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas B Murphy
- Department of Medicine, Western University, 1151 Richmond St., London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
- Department of Philosophy, Western University, London, Canada
| | - Michael Hartwick
- Divisions of Critical Care and Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Trillium Gift of Life, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - Christy Simpson
- Department of Bioethics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Canadian Blood Services, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Sam D Shemie
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- MUHC Research Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Canadian Blood Services, Montreal, QC, Canada
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7
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Shemie SD, Briard JN, Boyd JG, Gofton T, Kramer A, Chassé M, Taran S, Gros P, Singh JM. Infratentorial brain injury and death by neurologic criteria in Canada: a narrative review. Can J Anaesth 2023; 70:781-787. [PMID: 37138155 PMCID: PMC10203019 DOI: 10.1007/s12630-023-02427-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
There are two anatomic formulations of death by neurologic criteria accepted worldwide: whole-brain death and brainstem death. As part of the Canadian Death Definition and Determination Project, we convened an expert working group and performed a narrative review of the literature. Infratentorial brain injury (IBI) with an unconfounded clinical assessment consistent with death by neurologic criteria represents a nonrecoverable injury. The clinical determination of death cannot distinguish between IBI and whole-brain cessation of function. Current clinical, functional, and neuroimaging assessments cannot reliably confirm the complete and permanent destruction of the brainstem. No patient with isolated brainstem death has been reported to recover consciousness and all patients have died. Studies suggest a significant majority of isolated brainstem death will evolve into whole-brain death, influenced by time/duration of somatic support and impacted by ventricular drainage and/or posterior fossa decompressive craniectomy. Acknowledging variability in intensive care unit (ICU) physician opinion on this matter, a majority of Canadian ICU physicians would perform ancillary testing for death determination by neurologic criteria in the context of IBI. There is currently no reliable ancillary test to confirm complete destruction of the brainstem; ancillary testing currently includes evaluation of both infratentorial and supratentorial flow. Acknowledging international variability in this regard, the existing evidence reviewed does not provide sufficient confidence that the clinical exam in IBI represents a complete and permanent destruction of the reticular activating system and thus the capacity for consciousness. On this basis, IBI consistent with clinical signs of death by neurologic criteria without significant supratentorial involvement does not fulfill criteria for death in Canada and ancillary testing is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam D Shemie
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care, Department of Pediatrics, Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- MUHC Research Institute, 1001 Decarie Blvd, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada.
- System Development, Canadian Blood Services, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | - Joel Neves Briard
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - J Gordon Boyd
- Departments of Medicine (Neurology) and Critical Care Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Tenielle Gofton
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Andreas Kramer
- Departments of Critical Care Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary and Southern Alberta Organ and Tissue Donation Program, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Michaël Chassé
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Shaurya Taran
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Priti Gros
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jeffrey M Singh
- Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Ontario Health (Trillium Gift of Life Network), Toronto, ON, Canada
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Neves Briard J, Plourde G, Nitulescu R, Boyd JG, Carrier FM, Couillard P, Keezer MR, Kramer AH, Shemie SD, Stapf C, Chassé M. Infratentorial Brain Injury Among Patients Suspected of Death by Neurologic Criteria: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Neurology 2023; 100:e443-e453. [PMID: 36220596 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000201449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES There is a paucity of data on the frequency and prognosis of infratentorial brain injury among patients suspected of death by neurologic criteria (DNC), which likely contributes to scientific uncertainty regarding the role of isolated brainstem death in DNC determination. Our aim was to synthesize the prevalence, characteristics, and evolution of infratentorial brain injury, including isolated brainstem death, among patients suspected of DNC. METHODS We conducted a systematic review by searching Medline, Embase, EBM Reviews, CINAHL Complete, and the gray literature from inception to March 26, 2021. We selected cohort and cross-sectional studies, case reports, and case series that included patients suspected of DNC. Two study investigators independently performed study selection, data collection, and risk of bias assessment. Our primary outcomes were the respective prevalence of infratentorial brain injury and isolated brainstem death, which we meta-analyzed using mixed-effects Bayesian hierarchical models with diffuse priors. Our secondary outcomes were the characteristics and evolution of patients with infratentorial brain injury and isolated brainstem death. RESULTS Twenty-one studies met the selection criteria, most of which were of moderate to high risk of bias. Among patients suspected of DNC, the prevalence of infratentorial brain injury ranged from 2% to 16% (n = 3,602, mean prevalence: 6.3%, 95% highest density interval [2.4%-14.2%]), whereas the prevalence of isolated brainstem death ranged from 1% to 4% (n = 3,692, mean prevalence: 1.5%, 95% highest density interval [0.5%-3.9%]). A total of 38 isolated brainstem death cases with data on clinical characteristics and/or evolution were included. All had infratentorial strokes. Twenty patients had EEG background activity in the α or θ frequencies, 19 had preserved cerebral blood flow, 2 had preserved supratentorial cerebral perfusion, 2 had cortical responses to visual evoked potentials, and 1 had cortical responses to somatosensory evoked potentials. At the latest follow-up, 28 had progressed to whole-brain death. DISCUSSION Studies with moderate to high risk of bias suggest that infratentorial brain injury is relatively uncommon among patients suspected of DNC. Isolated brainstem death is rarer and seems to carry a high risk of progression to whole-brain death. These findings require further high-quality investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel Neves Briard
- From the Departments of Neuroscience (J.N.B., M.R.K., C.S.) Medicine (G.P., M.C.), and Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine (F.M.C.), Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada; Centre de Recherche Du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (J.N.B., G.P., R.N., F.M.C., M.R.K., C.S., M.C.), Québec, Canada; Department of Social and Preventative Medicine (J.N.B., M.R.K., M.C.), École de Santé Publique de l'Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada; Departments of Medicine and Critical Care (J.G.B.), Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; Departments of Critical Care Medicine & Clinical Neurosciences (P.C., A.H.K.), University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada; and Department of Pediatrics (S.D.S.), McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Guillaume Plourde
- From the Departments of Neuroscience (J.N.B., M.R.K., C.S.) Medicine (G.P., M.C.), and Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine (F.M.C.), Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada; Centre de Recherche Du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (J.N.B., G.P., R.N., F.M.C., M.R.K., C.S., M.C.), Québec, Canada; Department of Social and Preventative Medicine (J.N.B., M.R.K., M.C.), École de Santé Publique de l'Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada; Departments of Medicine and Critical Care (J.G.B.), Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; Departments of Critical Care Medicine & Clinical Neurosciences (P.C., A.H.K.), University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada; and Department of Pediatrics (S.D.S.), McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Roy Nitulescu
- From the Departments of Neuroscience (J.N.B., M.R.K., C.S.) Medicine (G.P., M.C.), and Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine (F.M.C.), Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada; Centre de Recherche Du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (J.N.B., G.P., R.N., F.M.C., M.R.K., C.S., M.C.), Québec, Canada; Department of Social and Preventative Medicine (J.N.B., M.R.K., M.C.), École de Santé Publique de l'Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada; Departments of Medicine and Critical Care (J.G.B.), Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; Departments of Critical Care Medicine & Clinical Neurosciences (P.C., A.H.K.), University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada; and Department of Pediatrics (S.D.S.), McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - J Gordon Boyd
- From the Departments of Neuroscience (J.N.B., M.R.K., C.S.) Medicine (G.P., M.C.), and Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine (F.M.C.), Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada; Centre de Recherche Du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (J.N.B., G.P., R.N., F.M.C., M.R.K., C.S., M.C.), Québec, Canada; Department of Social and Preventative Medicine (J.N.B., M.R.K., M.C.), École de Santé Publique de l'Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada; Departments of Medicine and Critical Care (J.G.B.), Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; Departments of Critical Care Medicine & Clinical Neurosciences (P.C., A.H.K.), University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada; and Department of Pediatrics (S.D.S.), McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - François Martin Carrier
- From the Departments of Neuroscience (J.N.B., M.R.K., C.S.) Medicine (G.P., M.C.), and Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine (F.M.C.), Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada; Centre de Recherche Du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (J.N.B., G.P., R.N., F.M.C., M.R.K., C.S., M.C.), Québec, Canada; Department of Social and Preventative Medicine (J.N.B., M.R.K., M.C.), École de Santé Publique de l'Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada; Departments of Medicine and Critical Care (J.G.B.), Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; Departments of Critical Care Medicine & Clinical Neurosciences (P.C., A.H.K.), University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada; and Department of Pediatrics (S.D.S.), McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Philippe Couillard
- From the Departments of Neuroscience (J.N.B., M.R.K., C.S.) Medicine (G.P., M.C.), and Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine (F.M.C.), Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada; Centre de Recherche Du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (J.N.B., G.P., R.N., F.M.C., M.R.K., C.S., M.C.), Québec, Canada; Department of Social and Preventative Medicine (J.N.B., M.R.K., M.C.), École de Santé Publique de l'Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada; Departments of Medicine and Critical Care (J.G.B.), Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; Departments of Critical Care Medicine & Clinical Neurosciences (P.C., A.H.K.), University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada; and Department of Pediatrics (S.D.S.), McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Mark R Keezer
- From the Departments of Neuroscience (J.N.B., M.R.K., C.S.) Medicine (G.P., M.C.), and Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine (F.M.C.), Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada; Centre de Recherche Du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (J.N.B., G.P., R.N., F.M.C., M.R.K., C.S., M.C.), Québec, Canada; Department of Social and Preventative Medicine (J.N.B., M.R.K., M.C.), École de Santé Publique de l'Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada; Departments of Medicine and Critical Care (J.G.B.), Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; Departments of Critical Care Medicine & Clinical Neurosciences (P.C., A.H.K.), University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada; and Department of Pediatrics (S.D.S.), McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Andreas H Kramer
- From the Departments of Neuroscience (J.N.B., M.R.K., C.S.) Medicine (G.P., M.C.), and Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine (F.M.C.), Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada; Centre de Recherche Du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (J.N.B., G.P., R.N., F.M.C., M.R.K., C.S., M.C.), Québec, Canada; Department of Social and Preventative Medicine (J.N.B., M.R.K., M.C.), École de Santé Publique de l'Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada; Departments of Medicine and Critical Care (J.G.B.), Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; Departments of Critical Care Medicine & Clinical Neurosciences (P.C., A.H.K.), University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada; and Department of Pediatrics (S.D.S.), McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Sam D Shemie
- From the Departments of Neuroscience (J.N.B., M.R.K., C.S.) Medicine (G.P., M.C.), and Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine (F.M.C.), Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada; Centre de Recherche Du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (J.N.B., G.P., R.N., F.M.C., M.R.K., C.S., M.C.), Québec, Canada; Department of Social and Preventative Medicine (J.N.B., M.R.K., M.C.), École de Santé Publique de l'Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada; Departments of Medicine and Critical Care (J.G.B.), Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; Departments of Critical Care Medicine & Clinical Neurosciences (P.C., A.H.K.), University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada; and Department of Pediatrics (S.D.S.), McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Christian Stapf
- From the Departments of Neuroscience (J.N.B., M.R.K., C.S.) Medicine (G.P., M.C.), and Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine (F.M.C.), Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada; Centre de Recherche Du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (J.N.B., G.P., R.N., F.M.C., M.R.K., C.S., M.C.), Québec, Canada; Department of Social and Preventative Medicine (J.N.B., M.R.K., M.C.), École de Santé Publique de l'Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada; Departments of Medicine and Critical Care (J.G.B.), Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; Departments of Critical Care Medicine & Clinical Neurosciences (P.C., A.H.K.), University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada; and Department of Pediatrics (S.D.S.), McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Michaël Chassé
- From the Departments of Neuroscience (J.N.B., M.R.K., C.S.) Medicine (G.P., M.C.), and Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine (F.M.C.), Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada; Centre de Recherche Du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (J.N.B., G.P., R.N., F.M.C., M.R.K., C.S., M.C.), Québec, Canada; Department of Social and Preventative Medicine (J.N.B., M.R.K., M.C.), École de Santé Publique de l'Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada; Departments of Medicine and Critical Care (J.G.B.), Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; Departments of Critical Care Medicine & Clinical Neurosciences (P.C., A.H.K.), University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada; and Department of Pediatrics (S.D.S.), McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
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