hjärnstillstånd

Hjärnstillstånd is a Swedish term that translates to brain death. It is a medical and legal concept that signifies the irreversible cessation of all functions of the entire brain, including the brainstem. This condition is distinct from coma or vegetative state, where some brain activity may still be present.

The diagnosis of brain death is a rigorous process that requires specific clinical criteria and often confirmatory tests. These criteria typically involve demonstrating the absence of brainstem reflexes, such as pupillary response to light, corneal reflex, and gag reflex, as well as the absence of spontaneous breathing. The individual must also be unresponsive to external stimuli.

Confirmatory tests, such as an electroencephalogram (EEG) to show no electrical activity in the brain or cerebral blood flow studies to demonstrate a lack of blood supply to the brain, may be used to support the clinical diagnosis. The process is usually performed by at least two independent physicians.

Brain death is considered the legal definition of death in many jurisdictions. Once brain death is declared, the individual is considered deceased, and life support measures are typically withdrawn. This determination is crucial for organ donation, as organs can only be recovered from individuals who are declared brain dead while their circulatory system is still being maintained. The concept of hjärnstillstånd is therefore central to both medical practice and ethical considerations surrounding end-of-life care and organ transplantation.