Why SC is looking at the way brain death is certified, Pg15

Key Highlights:

• The Supreme Court is seeking expert opinion from AIIMS doctors on the necessity of EEG and angiogram tests for brain death certification.
• The petition before the court alleges that some patients are declared brain dead prematurely to facilitate organ donation.
• Brain death is defined as the irreversible cessation of all brain activities, including those controlling breathing.
• India's rate of deceased organ donation is low at 0.77 per million population, compared to Spain's 48 per million.

Detailed Insights:

• Brain death declaration is crucial for deceased organ donation, offering a safer alternative to living donor transplants.
• Current NOTTO guidelines require a four-member board to conduct bedside tests twice, with a 12-hour interval, to certify brain death.
• EEG measures electrical activity in the brain, while angiogram assesses blood flow; both can provide more conclusive evidence of brain death.
• Mandatory EEG and angiogram tests could reduce organ donations due to limited resources in smaller hospitals.
• Lack of training among physicians contributes to underreporting of potential organ donors who are brain dead.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Brain Death: Irreversible cessation of all brain functions, including the brain stem.
• EEG (Electroencephalogram): A test that detects electrical activity in the brain using electrodes.
• Angiogram: An X-ray technique using dye to visualize blood vessels and blood flow.