Top court seeks expert report from AIIMS on brain death protocols, Pg8

Key Highlights:

• The Supreme Court directed AIIMS to form an expert panel to review brain death declaration protocols.
• The panel will consist of three experts in neurology or neurosurgery.
• The review will assess the suitability of cerebral angiogram and EEG as alternatives to the apnea test.
• The order follows a petition by Dr. Sadanandan Ganapathy raising concerns about malpractices in declaring patients brain dead.

Detailed Insights:

• Dr. Ganapathy alleges a lack of transparency and potential malpractices in declaring patients brain dead for organ transplantation.
• The apnea test, currently used to determine brain death, is considered unreliable by the petitioner, who advocates for EEG and cerebral angiography.
• EEG and cerebral angiography could provide clearer, recorded evidence in brain death certification, enhancing transparency.
• The Kerala High Court previously closed Dr. Ganapathy's PIL, prompting him to approach the Supreme Court.
• Concerns exist that financial incentives may influence doctors to prioritize organ donation in cases of brain injury.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Brain Death: Irreversible cessation of all brain functions, including the brainstem.
• Apnea Test: Assesses if a patient can breathe spontaneously when disconnected from a ventilator.
• Electroencephalogram (EEG): A test that detects electrical activity in the brain using small, metal discs attached to the scalp.
• Cerebral Angiogram: An X-ray imaging test used to visualize blood vessels in the brain after injecting a contrast dye.