Neurological Determination of Death

"Neurological death is the final end point of any form of brain injury that results in uncontrollable intracranial hypertension and the arrest of cerebral blood flow. The most common causes of neurological death are traumatic brain injury, cerebrovascular accidents and hypoxic-ischemic injury after cardiac arrest. The time from injury to diagnosis of neurological death varies from hours to many days, depending on the severity of initial injury and the response to therapy."

Trillium Gift of Life Network has developed a package of support materials as part of our continuing Family Support and Aftercare Program. Included in that package is an information publication entitled Understanding Neurological Death. This booklet will assist you in explaining to patient families the complex concept of neurological death. Download Understanding Neurological Death (PDF)