HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Correspondence: Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when Correspondence are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Logigian, E. L. Articles by Ropper, A. H. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Logigian, E. L. Articles by Ropper, A. H.

Terminal electrocardiographic changes in brain-dead patients

Neurological/Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit and the Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA.

We analyzed ECGs of 18 brain-dead patients from the time of termination of ventilation until cessation of electrocardiographic activity. Gradual slowing of the atrial mechanism was followed by AV block or a gradually slowing junctional escape rhythm. Despite progressive failure of atrial and junctional pacemakers, none had a ventricular escape rhythm. There were three terminal rhythms: (1) atrial activity only, (2) slow junctional rhythm or sinus bradycardia, or (3) ventricular tachycardia (VT). A prolonged QT interval, corrected for rate, was related to later development of VT. One hypothermic and three euthermic patients had J waves.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Ropper, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114.

Accepted for publication October 1, 1984.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				B. E. Soifer and A. W. Gelb The Multiple Organ Donor: Identification and Management Ann Intern Med, May 15, 1989; 110(10): 814 - 823. [Abstract] [PDF]