Identification of separation phenomenon during brain death determination of potential organ donor and analysis of relative factors

Background: With analyzing the incongruent phenomenon of electrical active and cerebral blood flow in brain death determination and screening the related factors, offer correct explanations and countermeasure to ensure the successful implementation of donation after brain death.Methods: Relevant clinical data of potential brain death organ donors were prospectively collected between June 2018 and May 2019. The related parameters of neurological examination, laboratory examination and neuroimaging examination during the period of brain death determination were dynamically recorded. Separation phenomenon was used as grouping factors to screen the factors related to separation phenomena through univariate and multivariate analysis.Results: According to the inclusion criteria, 127 patients were included in the study. Among 22 patients (17.3%) with incongruent phenomenon, 17 (77.3%) had electrical silence earlier than cerebral blood flow arrest, and 9 (22.7%) had cerebral blood flow arrest earlier than electrical silence. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that age <14 years (OR=6.25, 95%CI 1.21-32.22, p=0.028),  SBP≥140 mmHg (OR=7.43, 95%CI 1.62-33.99, p=0.010), primary brainstem injury (OR=15.89, 95%CI 3.04-82.93, p=0.006), spontaneous respiratory arrest time ≤72 hours (OR=11.96, 95%CI 1.59-89.78, p=0.009) and decompression craniotomy(unilateral or bilateral) (OR=16.28, 95%CI 2.25-117.73, p=0.001) were associated with separation phenomenon..Conclusions: Separation phenomenon is a common during the confirmation test of brain death determination in China, and should be correctly recognized. To adopt corresponding measures according to risk factors is useful for successful implementation of donation after brain death.

Early identification of potential brain death organ donors based on prediction of spontaneous respiratory arrest

Background: This study was designed to build a Nomogarm prediction model of spontaneous respiratory arrest (SRA) in nerocritical patients within 72 hours after brain injury for early identification of potential brain death organ donors.Methods: From October 2017 to May 2019, the neurocritical patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, were enrolled. The occurrence of SRA within 72 hours after brain injury was regarded as the time interest point and grouping factor, factors associated with SRA were screened by univariate and multivariate analysis, and then the Nomogarm prediction model was developed. Finally, the Nomogarm prediction model was tested in the validation set.Results: In training set, univariate and multivariate analysis showed that the midline shift (OR=4.56, 95% 1.87-19.21), absent of ambient cistern (OR=4.83, 95% 1.35-16.34), cough reflex absence (OR=3.82, 95% 1.15-12.42), intraventricular hemorrhage (OR=3.16, 95% 1.53-14.52) and serum Na+<125mmol/L (OR=3.06, 95% 1.53-13.44) were associated with SRA within 72 hours. In the training set and validation set, the predicted C index of SRA rate within 72 hours was 0.81 (95% CI 0.76-0.85) and 0.80 (95% CI 0.75-0.83), respectively. Further statistical analysis showed that 140 points, 160 points and 170 points were dangerous cut-off points, of which 140 points, 160 points and 170 points were 30.1%, 65.6% and 93.4% associated with SRA within 72 hours, respectively.Conclusions: Nomogram prediction model based on brain injury assessment parameters can predict the time of SRA in neurocritical patients, and can be used for early identification of potential brain death organ donors.

Rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury in the deceased donor: a case report

Rhabdomyolysis is a common complication among brain death donors, affecting the number of organ donations and the quality of donor kidneys. Case report: Male, 17 years old, admitted to the hospital due to a car accident. Subsequently, brown urine appeared, blood myoglobin increased significantly, urine output decreased, and renal function impaired. Treatments including fluid replacement, alkalization of urine, plasma exchange and bedside CRRT were given. The patient's renal function recovered, and the organs were successfully acquired. The renal function recovered well after transplantation. Conclusion: Attention should be paid to rhabdomyolysis. Early diagnosis and treatment of patients with brain death could improve donation success rate and the recovery of postoperative renal function.