This first pattern, diagnostic of brain death, has been validated with angiographic vascular arrest in the literature [2] and [3]. These oscillations eventually become low amplitude spectral spikes and finally no pulsations are detectable. In vivo experiments show that around selleckchem 10–15 min of total cerebral ischemia lead to irreversible total loss

of cerebral function. Therefore, a short time of cerebral circulatory arrest demonstrated by ultrasounds is sufficient to confirm irreversibility and hence cerebral death [4] and [5]. Several Doppler patterns could change slightly during an increase of intracranial pressure related to mass effect. We present two patients with severe changes in Doppler patterns during evaluation of brain death. We present two patients with a clinical diagnosis of brain death but with positive blood benzodiazepine levels. Both suffered a hemorrhagic stroke consisting

of lobar hematoma and massive subarachnoid hemorrhage, with an initial exam of coma in the emergency room (GCS 3–5), and they underwent oral intubation. TCD (DWL-Multidop 2 MHz probe) was performed 24 h after hospital admission. A Doppler pattern of reverse flow with small diastolic positive flow in both middle cerebral arteries and basilar arteries was observed in both cases. The patients were maintained with respiratory support in an intensive care unit. TCD was repeated 6 h later, showing an increase of systolic and diastolic flow associated with high intracranial pressure (ICP) in the first patient CHIR-99021 price and a decrease of ICP in the second patient associated Baf-A1 with polyuria. A new TCD examination 6 h later finally showed a pattern of low spikes that led to the diagnosis of cerebrovascular arrest and brain death. Extensive death of hemispheric tissue, intracranial bleeding or brain swelling can cause severe

increase of ICP. If the ICP equals the diastolic arterial pressure, the brain is perfused only in systole and if ICP rises over the systolic arterial pressure, cerebral perfusion will cease [2]. 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. This first diagnostic pattern of brain death has been validated with angiography in the literature. Transient improvements of blood cerebral flow could be related to the use of adrenergic drugs or the use of osmotic drugs to decrease ICP. The use of adrenergic drugs is very common to treat hypotension associated with brain herniation and failure of the autonomic nervous system. The use of osmotic drugs is mandatory to improve intracranial pressure but is not justified in patients with irreversible and progressive neurological deterioration.