Thursday, March 5, 2015

Q: What is the 'Atropine test' during determination of Brain Death Evaluation?


Answer: "Atropine test" during Brain Death evaluation is the failure of the heart rate to increase after 1- 2 mg of IV atropine intravenously. But remember, this excludes people with previous heart transplant.

The atropine test assesses bulbar parasympathetic activity on heart activity in brain-dead patients. 2 mg atropine is given under continuous monitoring for 10 minutes. Test is considered negative if heart rate is not augmented by 5 beats perminute or more than 3% compared with basal heart rate. 



References:

Ouaknine GE, Mercier C. Value of the atropine test in the confirmation of brain death- Union Med Can. 1985;114:76–80.

Huttemann E, Schelenz C, Sakka SG, et al. Atropine test and circulatory arrest in the fossa posterior assessed by transcranial Doppler. Intensive Care Med. 2000;26:422–5.  

Cardan C, Roth A, Biro J. The atropine test in the assessment of brain death. Rev Chir Oncol Radiol O R L Oftalmol Stomatol Chir. 1983;32:393–7

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