Table 3 Indications and contraindications for apnea testing
From: Brain death: a review
Indications for apnea testing | Contraindications for apnea testing |
|---|---|
-Presence of a contraindication to clinical examination | -Systolic blood pressure < 90 mmHg |
-Deeply comatose patients | -Safety worries |
-The absence of brainstem reflexes | -Upper Cervical spine trauma |
|  | -Marked acidosis (pH < 7.20) |
|  | -Hypoxemia (po2 < 90 mmHg) due to COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), or cyanotic cardiac diseases |
| Â | -Marked obesity |