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What is Brain Death?

It is the actual death of the patient. The total loss of function of the central nervous system, a function necessary to sustain life. That is why from the point of view of science, legislation and ethics, brain death represents the death of the individual. According to the Lebanese law 1442/84, it is diagnosed by a bedside exam performed by two physicians:

-a neurologist or neurosurgeon

-an intensivist or anesthesiologist
and the coroner

For the examination to be valid, the temperature of the patient should be over 32.2°C, he should not be under the effect of sedative drugs or in a state of shock.

The patient is considered dead when the following findings are present:

-Deep coma and absence of reactions to painful stimulations.

-Absence of sensations and movements

-Absence of the cranial reflexes

-Pupillary dilatation

-Flat EEG (electro-encephalogram) for a minimum of 10 minutes.

Such patients can not breath spontaneously, the blood circulation, respiration and heart functions are maintained by artificial means, thus providing enough time for the family to take the decision to donate.
Brain death is not coma. Coma results from cerebral damage but the patient is still alive, he can breath, conscience is lost but vital reflexes are preserved and the electrical activity of the brain is still present.