For a long time death has been understood as the cessation of cardiopulmonary function. With the advent of mechanical ventilation and life support in the ICU, the concept of brain death emerged. In this episode of Critical Matters, we discuss the determination of death by neurologic criteria. Our guest is Dr. Fred Rincon, Associate Professor of Neurology and Neurological Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.

Additional Resources:

The most recent update to the evidence-based guidelines for determining brain death in adults: https://bit.ly/2TXjSZr

Web-based toolkit and educational material for clinicians on brain death: https://bit.ly/2FA7KVj

Previous episode of Critical Matters with Dr. Rincon where we discussed neuroprognostication after cardiac arrest: https://bit.ly/2JHFZ1q

Books and Albums Mentioned in This Episode:

Meditations by Marcus Aurelius: https://amzn.to/2FD1xIy

Nevermind by Nirvana: https://amzn.to/2WmVVYd