Consensus opinion on diagnosis of cerebral circulatory arrest using Doppler-sonography: Task Force Group on cerebral death of the Neurosonology Research Group of the World Federation of Neurology.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Oscillating flow or systolic spikes are typical Doppler-sonographic flow signals found in the presence of cerebral circulatory arrest, which if irreversible, results in brain death. The Neurosonology Research Group (NSRG) of the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) created a Task Force Group in order to evaluate the role of Doppler-sonography as a confirmatory test for determining brain death.

METHODS

The available evidence from the literature has been reviewed and discussed by a group of experts, the members of the Task Force Group on cerebral death of the NSRG.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Extra- and intracranial Doppler-sonography is a useful confirmatory test to establish irreversibility of cerebral circulatory arrest as optional part of a brain death protocol. Doppler-sonography is of special value when the therapeutic use of sedative drugs renders electroencephalography unreliable. Doppler-sonographic criteria are defined and guidelines for the use of Doppler-sonography in this setting are presented.