Background: CT-angiography is an ancillary test used to diagnose death by neurological criteria (DNC), notably in cases of unreliable neurological examinations due to clinical confounders. We studied whether clinical confounders to the neurological examination modified CT-angiography diagnostic accuracy. Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis of studies including deeply comatose patients undergoing DNC ancillary testing. We estimated pooled sensitivities and specificities using a Bayesian hierarchical model, including data on CT-angiography (4-point, 7-point, 10-point scales, and no intracranial flow), and performing a subgroup analysis on clinical confounders to the reference neurological examination. Results: Of 40 studies included in the meta-analysis, 7 involve CT-angiography (n=586). There was no difference between subgroups (Table). The degree of uncertainty involving sensitivity estimates was high in both subgroups. Conclusions: Statistical uncertainty in diagnostic accuracy estimates preclude any conclusion regarding the impact of clinical confounders on CT-angiography diagnostic accuracy. Further research is required to validate CT-angiography as an accurate ancillary test for DNC. Table. Pooled sensitivities and specificities of CT-angiography for death by neurological criteria
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.