What are clinical criteria and time criteria for brain death determination in Vietnam?
What are clinical criteria and time criteria for brain death determination in Vietnam? After examining my son, the doctor confirmed that he was brain dead. The doctor said my son was in coma (the score of 3 on the Glasgow coma scale). But I don't believe my son is brain dead. So what should I rely on to know if the doctor's brain death conclusion is correct or not?
1. Clinical criteria and time criteria for brain death determination in Vietnam
Pursuant to Article 28 of the Law on donation, removal and transplantation of human tissues and organs and the donation and recovery of cadavers. Clinical criteria and time criteria for brain death determination are as follows:
1. Clinical criteria for brain death determination include:
a/ Coma (the score of 3 on the Glasgow coma scale);
b/ Fixed pupil (the pupil's diameter dilated to both sides over 4 mm);
c/ No pupillary reflex to light;
d/ No corneal reflex;
e/ No cough response to stimulation of bronchi;
f/ No deviation of the eyes to irrigation of each ear with 50 ml of cold water;
g/ Loss of the breathing ability when the ventilator is disconnected.
2. The time criterion for brain death determination is that conclusion on brain death can be made only at least 12 hours after the moment all clinical criteria specified in Clause 1 of this Article are satisfied and no recovery is observed.
3. The Ministry of Health shall specify cases where the clinical criteria specified in Clause 1 of this Article are not applicable to death brain determination.
Thus, the doctor's conclusion is completely correct because according to the clinical criteria for brain death determination in Vietnam, your son falls into the case at point a, clause 1, Article 28 of the Law on donation, removal and transplantation of human tissues and organs and the donation and recovery of cadavers is coma (the score of 3 on the Glasgow coma scale).
2. Subclinical criteria for determining brain death in Vietnam
Pursuant to Article 29 of the Law on donation, removal and transplantation of human tissues and organs and the donation and recovery of cadavers. Subclinical criteria and time criteria for determining brain death are as follows:
1. In order to identify subclinical criteria for determining brain death, one of the following professional techniques shall be used:
a/ Electroencephalogram (EEG);
b/ Computed tomography scanning;
c/ Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography;
d/ X-ray of brain arteries;
e/ Nuclear brain scanning.
2. The Minister of Health shall specify subclinical criteria for determining brain death and the application of professional techniques mentioned in Clause 1 of this Article.
Best Regards!
