Brain-stem auditory evoked potentials and brain death

doi:10.1016/0168-5597(91)90087-E

Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology/Evoked Potentials Section

Volume 80, Issue 5, September–October 1991, Pages 392-398

https://doi.org/10.1016/0168-5597(91)90087-E Get rights and content

Abstract

BAEP records were obtained from 30 brain-dead patients. Three BAEP patterns were observed: (1) no identifiable waves (73.34%), (2) an isolated bilateral wave I (16.66%) and (3) an isolated unilateral wave I (10%). When wave I was present, it was always significantly delayed. Significant augmentation of wave I amplitude was present bilaterally in one case and unilaterally in another. On the other hand, in serial records from 3 cases wave I latency tended to increase progressively until this component disappeared. During the same period. wave I amplitude fluctuations were observed. A significant negative correlation was found for wave I latency with heart rate and body temperature in 1 case. Two facts might explain the progressive delay and disappearance of wave I in brain-dead patients: a progressive hypoxic-ischaemic dysfunction of the cochlea and the eight nnerve plus hypothermia, often present in brain-dead patients. Then the incidence of wave I preservation reported by different authors in single BAEP records from brain-dead patients might depend on the moment at which the evoked potential study was done in relation to the onset of the clinical state. It is suggested that, although BAEPs provide an objective electrophysiological assessment of brain-stem function, essential for BD diagnosis, this technique could be of no value for this purpose when used in isolation.

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Main articleBrain-stem auditory evoked potentials and brain death

Abstract

Electroenceph. Clin. Neurophysiol.

Electroenceph. clin. Neurophysiol.

Electroenceph. clin. Neurophysiol.

Electroenceph. clin. Neurophysiol.

Electroenceph. clin. Neurophysiol.

Exp. Neurol.

Minimum technical standards for EEG recording in suspected brain death

Guidelines in EEG

Apnea testing in brain death

Arch. Intern. Med.

Cerebral blood flow and oxygen uptake and cerebrospinal fluid biochemistry in severe coma

J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiat.

Potenciales evocados auditivos de corta latencia o potenciales de tallo cerebral:

Rev. Cub. Inv. Biomed.

Efferent innervation of the labyrinth

Am. J. Otolaryngol.

Unusual complications of temporal bones fractures

Arch. Otolaryngol. Head Neck Surg.

Brainstem auditory and short latency somatosensory evoked responses in brain death

Neurology

Sensory evoked responses in the intensive care unit

Ear Hear.

Auditory brainstem response in determination of brain death

Arch. Otolaryngol.

Main article
Brain-stem auditory evoked potentials and brain death