Computed Tomography Angiography Accuracy in Brain Death Diagnosis

Computed Tomography Angiography Accuracy in Brain Death Diagnosis

The purpose of this study is to assess the reliability of computed tomography angiography (CTA) to diagnose brain death, face of several conditions that make impossible to define such diagnosis using clinical criteria exclusively.

Critically ill patients, presenting Glasgow Coma Score 5 or lower, will be submitted to the Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) of the skull assessment, and follow a clinical evaluation for brain death, additionally, transcranial Doppler would be applied as the gold standard for brain death.

We will exclude patients whose do not can be submitted to contrast injection, or if a brain death clinical evaluation has been performed prior the CTA.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Individuals of any age or sex with brain death suspicion raised, before clinical test.
• Comatose patients presenting Glasgow Coma Score as or under 5 points, under sedative agents or not.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Brain dead patients clinically confirmed.
• Contraindications to the use of contrast medium (renal failure or allergy).