Brain stem death is cessation of function of the brain stem due to irreversible damage. It is an irreversible condition and the person has died. It is also called Brain Death in India.
A brain stem dead person cannot breathe on his own; however the heart has an inbuilt mechanism for pumping as long as it has a supply of oxygen and blood. A ventilator continues to blow air into lungs of brain stem dead persons, their heart continues to receive oxygenated blood and medicine may be given to maintain their blood pressure. The heart will continue to beat for a period of time after brain stem death – this does not mean that the person is alive, or that there is any chance of recovery.
The declaration of brain stem death is made with accepted medical standards. The parameters emphasize the 3 clinical findings necessary to confirm irreversible cessation of all functions of the entire brain, including the brain stem: coma (loss of consciousness) with a known cause, absence of brainstem reflexes, and apnea (absence of spontaneous breathing). These tests are carried out twice at the interval of at-least 6-12 hours by the team of Medical Experts. Brain-stem Death is accepted under the Transplant Human Organ Act since 1994.
