ISSN:
0942-0940
Keywords:
Brain death
;
cerebral angiography
;
pituitary hormones
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary In six patients with clinical and electroencephalographic signs of brain death, pituitary hormones such as prolactin, human growth hormone (GH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and thyrotrophin (TSH) were measured in blood close to the demonstration of intracranial circulatory arrest by angiography. In addition, pituitary hormone releasing tests and an insulin test were carried out in two patients. The results showed that no patient had a general decrease in hormone levels, according to their biological half life times, which suggests there still was some function in the hypothalamus and pituitary. This was supported by the results of the stimulation tests. It is concluded that in brain death some basal parts of the brain may still be perfused despite the fact that angiography indicates circulatory arrest in these areas.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01402079
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