International Journal of Clinical & Medical Images

Brain death is irreversible loss of the brain function. Apnea test should be perfomed for the diagnosis with some exception of specific conditions. Apnea test is positive, if PCO2 ≥ 60 mmHg and/or an increase of 20 mmHg or more in PCO2 compared to baseline values despite no spontaneous breathing. Sonographic examination of the diaphragm movement prior to and during the apnea test is intended in this case. Intratracheal 6 L min-1 O2 was being administered after separation the patient from mechanical ventilation during the apnea test. PCO2 was determined as 80 mm Hg in the arterial blood gases sample from the patient after 8 minutes. Hence apnea test was considered positive. Any diaphragmatic movement was not observed as sonographic
movement along with the apnea test.