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Physiopathologic mechanisms in encephalic death

Abstract:

Encephalic death is bases on a clinical diagnosis and it is accepted like a synonym of subject deathThe person arrives to this stage when a catastrophic lesion provokes an irreversible coma with a lack of reflexes from the encephalic trunk and apneaThe encephalic death is defined like an irreversible loss of all encephalon including the brain hemispheres and the encephalic trunkThe different causes of irreversible loss of encephalon functions are the same described provoking a coma, which are grouped in: structural and diffuse-metabolic multifocalThe structural causes are subdivided in compressive and destructivesThe compressive ones cause space problems in intracranial cavity leading to an increase of intracranial pressure and herniationsThe destructive ones leading to encephalic death affect the diencephalon, the encephalic trunk and brain hemispheresDiffuse-metabolic multifocal etiologies are a very varied group of causes provoking the irreversible loss of encephalon functions through diverse biochemical and physiopathologic mechanismsHowever, the etiologies described provoke the irreversible lack of brain blood flux the final cause leading to destruction of intracranial structuresAlthough the encephalic death is based on a clinical diagnosis, knowledge of physiopathology of this status allows to study the potential mechanisms leading to a patient evolve to an encephalic death and be certain that there is a irreversibility of this diagnosis.