Bioethics for clinicians: 24. Brain death

BRAIN DEATH IS DEFINED AS THE COMPLETE AND IRREVERSIBLE absence of all brai n function. It is diagnosed by means of rigorous testing at the bedside. Th e advent of neurologic or brain death criteria to establish the death of a person was a significant departure from the traditional way of defining dea th and remains ethically challenging to some. We review the ethical, cultur al, religious and legal issues surrounding brain death and outline an appro ach to establishing a diagnosis of brain death in clinical practice.