Clinical Trial: Transcranial Doppler Ultrasonography and Brain Death

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Observational

Official Title: Evaluation of Transcranial Doppler Ultrasonography to Guide the Time of Cerebral Angiography for the Brain Death Diagnosis

Brief Summary: In France the diagnosis of brain death relies on electroencephalography (EEG) or cerebral angiography. Concerning the latter a time of 6 hours is mandatory between the clinical diagnosis and the realization of the cerebral computed tomography (CT) angiography. Transcranial doppler (TCD) is not recommended in the french guidelines for the diagnosis of brain death. In other countries, some flow patterns allow to confirm the diagnosis of brain death. The hypothesis of our study is that TCD could shorten the time between the clinical diagnosis of brain death and the realization of the CT angiography.

Detailed Summary:
Sponsor: Institut d'Anesthesiologie des Alpes Maritimes

Current Primary Outcome: Time between clinical diagnosis of brain death and realization of CT angiography [ Time Frame: the outcome is assessed when the CT angiography is performed ]

Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome: Number of CT angiography required for the diagnosis of brain death [ Time Frame: the outcome is measured until the diagnosis of brain death is confirmed ]

Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: Institut d'Anesthesiologie des Alpes Maritimes

Dates:
Date Received: February 12, 2010
Date Started: February 2009
Date Completion:
Last Updated: June 30, 2011
Last Verified: June 2011