Neuroanesthesia & neurocritical care
Strategic analysis of apnea testing to determine brain death with PaCO2 and pH targets in China: A multi-center retrospective study
Authors' conclusion
For most patients, 7-9 min of AT duration is appropriate to reach dual diagnostic targets.
Study context
- Population
- Brain death patients undergoing apnea testing (AT) with dual PaCO2 and pH targets, five hospitals in China, 2018–2023
- Participants
- 620 patients · 5 hospitals
- Outcome
- Diagnostic rate of AT with dual PaCO2 and pH targets
Methodological detailsmulticentre
- Multicentre
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Diagnostic rate for dual AT targets
Diagnostic rate for dual AT targets
92.4 %
Lower than under conventional criteria by
3.4 %
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
AT duration by OI
P < 0.001
| Outcome | P value |
|---|---|
| Required AT duration and diagnostic rate, pre-PaCO2 ≥ 40 vs < 40 mmHgpre-PaCO2 ≥ 40 mmHg vs pre-PaCO2 < 40 mmHg · shorter required durations | P = 0.029 |
| Required AT duration and diagnostic rate, pre-PaCO2 ≥ 40 vs < 40 mmHgpre-PaCO2 ≥ 40 mmHg vs pre-PaCO2 < 40 mmHg · higher diagnostic rate | P = 0.041 |
Diagnostic rate by AT duration >9 min
- Diagnostic rate no longer improved for AT duration longer than 9 min (χ2 = 0.049)
- P = 0.826
Factors related to final PaCO2 and pH (multivariate linear regression)
- Weight, baseline heart rate, pre-pH, pre-PaCO2 and duration related to final PaCO2 and pH
Safety
Severe hypercapnia (PaCO2 > 80 mmHg) and severe acidosis (pH < 7.10)
- Incidence increased with AT duration longer than 9 min
Original publication
Strategic analysis of apnea testing to determine brain death with PaCO2 and pH targets in China: A multi-center retrospective study. J Crit Care. Published 7 June 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →