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brain death |
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death (deth) the cessation of life; permanent cessation of all vital bodily functions. activation-induced cell death (AICD) recognition and deletion of T lymphocytes that have been induced to proliferate by receptor-mediated activation, preventing their overgrowth. black death bubonic plague. brain death irreversible coma; irreversible brain damage as manifested by absolute unresponsiveness to all stimuli, absence of all spontaneous muscle activity, and an isoelectric electroencephalogram for 30 minutes, all in the absence of hypothermia or intoxication by central nervous system depressants. cot death , crib death sudden infant death syndrome. programmed cell death the theory that particular cells are programmed to die at specific sites and at specific stages of development. somatic death cessation of all vital cellular activity.
brain death Etymology: AS, bragen + death an irreversible form of unconsciousness characterized by a complete loss of brain function while the heart continues to beat. The legal definition of this condition varies from state to state. The usual clinical criteria for brain death include the absence of reflex activity, movements, and spontaneous respiration requiring mechanical ventilation or life support to continue any cardiac function. The pupils are dilated and fixed. Because hypothermia, anesthesia, poisoning, or drug intoxication may cause deep physiologic depression that resembles brain death these parameters must be within normal limits prior to testing. Diagnosis of brain death may require evaluating and demonstrating that electrical activity of the brain is absent on two electroencephalograms performed 12 to 24 hours apart. Brain death can be confirmed with electroencephalograms showing a complete lack of electrical activity (a flat line) or vascular perfusion studies showing a lack of blood flow to the brain. Also called irreversible coma. Compare coma, sleep, stupor. brain death, n an irreversible form of unconsciousness characterized by a complete loss of brain function while the heart continues to beat. brain death End of life The irreversible cessation of all functions of the entire brain, including the brainstem. See Appropriate period of observation, Attending physician, Corroborating physician, Harvard criteria, Multiorgan donation
Harvard criteria for brain death
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But as we witnessed last year in the case of Terri Schiavo, trying to decipher choice when the person at issue is brain-dead can lead to a complicated mess. Palminteri did not create or direct this cheerfully brain-dead scenario. Complicating the "documentary" is the presence of a gaggle of offbeat, has-been celebrities competing for best teacher in an unremarkable comprehensive school in a midsize English town, populated by brain-dead scholars and insane teachers. |
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