Arterio-Jugular Oxygen Difference in Severe Intracranial Lesions

Research seems to support the proposition that hyperoxia of the internal jugular vein is indicative of brain death. The test to determine this can be easily carried out at the bedside. Recently many authors have confirmed this also. This study concerned itself with the difference of oxygen content between internal carotid arterial and internal jugular venous blood in 19 patients with varied severe intracranial lesions. The results suggest that a carotid arterialjugular venous blood oxygen content difference lower than 1.7 vol. % is indicative of brain death. Possible mechanisms for high oxygen content in the jugular venous blood in the state of brain death are discussed.