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摘要

I thank Dr. Doyle for raising important and fundamental issues that are a source of confusion in theory and bedside practice. Does the term "brain death" refer to death of the brain itself or does it refer to death as determined by the loss of neurological function,? The answer depends on which concept of brain death is accepted, and this varies according to jurisdiction. In the United States, a whole brain definition (cerebral hemispheres and brainstem) for brain death is codified based on the irreversible cessation of all Junctions of the brain, including the brainstem. This is distinct from the United Kingdom where a brainstem-based definition of death is applied.