Thursday, August 21, 2008
The science behind organ donation
I recently came across a troubling article in “Celebrate Life” magazine titled “Organ Donation: The Grim Harvest.” The author espouses that the deaths of some organ donors are hastened based on the need for their vital organs.
Nothing could be further from the truth. His report typifies the difference between those who sit back and theorize about a situation as opposed to those who are actively involved in what is a solemn and painstakingly meticulous event.
The first step in determining brain death is for a neurologist or neurosurgeon to perform a clinical examination of the patient. If there is no evidence of primitive brainstem reflexes such as breathing, eye blink after either eye is touched with a piece of cotton, or a pupillary narrowing response to a bright light, a series of confirmatory tests can be carried out.
These painless tests include an electroencephalogram (a test of electrical brain waves), radionuclide brain scan, CT scan, and MRI. Further medical evaluations are performed to support a clinical examination that shows no evidence of brain function.
None of these crucial tests are detrimental to the overall health of a patient. After a minimum of six hours has passed and these tests confirm no detectable brain function, the neurologic exam is repeated.
An ethics committee consisting of medical personnel and members of the clergy oversees the entire process.
It is important to note that this process is the same for any patient in an irreversible coma. The issue of being an organ donor is not relevant until all criteria are met and a discussion between the treating physician and family takes place.
The choice to be an organ donor is a personal one. What better way is there to “celebrate life” than to donate vital organs so that someone else may live?
Anthony G. Alessi, MD, is Chief of Neurology at The William W. Backus Hospital with a private practice at NeuroDiagnostics, LLC in Norwich. This column should not replace advice or instruction from your personal physician. E-mail Alessi and all of the Healthy Living columnists at healthyliving@wwbh.org. Comment on their blog at healthydocs.blogspot.com.
Nothing could be further from the truth. His report typifies the difference between those who sit back and theorize about a situation as opposed to those who are actively involved in what is a solemn and painstakingly meticulous event.
The first step in determining brain death is for a neurologist or neurosurgeon to perform a clinical examination of the patient. If there is no evidence of primitive brainstem reflexes such as breathing, eye blink after either eye is touched with a piece of cotton, or a pupillary narrowing response to a bright light, a series of confirmatory tests can be carried out.
These painless tests include an electroencephalogram (a test of electrical brain waves), radionuclide brain scan, CT scan, and MRI. Further medical evaluations are performed to support a clinical examination that shows no evidence of brain function.
None of these crucial tests are detrimental to the overall health of a patient. After a minimum of six hours has passed and these tests confirm no detectable brain function, the neurologic exam is repeated.
An ethics committee consisting of medical personnel and members of the clergy oversees the entire process.
It is important to note that this process is the same for any patient in an irreversible coma. The issue of being an organ donor is not relevant until all criteria are met and a discussion between the treating physician and family takes place.
The choice to be an organ donor is a personal one. What better way is there to “celebrate life” than to donate vital organs so that someone else may live?
Anthony G. Alessi, MD, is Chief of Neurology at The William W. Backus Hospital with a private practice at NeuroDiagnostics, LLC in Norwich. This column should not replace advice or instruction from your personal physician. E-mail Alessi and all of the Healthy Living columnists at healthyliving@wwbh.org. Comment on their blog at healthydocs.blogspot.com.
# posted by ----------------- @ 5:30 PM 
