Criteria for brain stem death testing

• Deep coma of known aetiology
• Reversible causes excluded
• No sedation
• Normal electrolytes

Confirming brainstem death

• No pupil response (II, III)
• No corneal reflex (V, VII)
• No motor response (CN distribution, V, VII)
• No vestibulo-ocular reflex (III, VI, VIII)
• No gag/cough reflex (IX, X)
• No respiration (apnoea test)

Who can undertake brainstem death testing?

• The test should be undertaken by two appropriately experienced doctors on two separate occasions
• Both should be experienced in performing brain stem death testing and have at least 5 years post-graduate experience
• One of them must be a consultant
• Neither can be a member of the transplant team (if organ donation contemplated)