Brain Death and Management of the Potential Donor

Abstract

Brain death is a complex process that alters the physiology of all organ systems. It has been recognized recently, involves a series of clinical disorders, and includes biochemical and cellular changes, which lead to multiple organ dysfunction. Some changes affect the viability of the organs for transplantation by compromising their perfusion, increasing the ischemic injury. The identification of patients progressing to brain death, as well as those with an established diagnosis, must be managed in the best possible way in an attempt to enable, if authorized, organs of good quality.