Detection of spontaneous breathing during an apnea test in a patient with suspected brain death using electrical impedance tomography: a case report

The apnea test (AT) is a crucial procedure in determining brain death (BD), with detection of spontaneous breathing efforts serving as a key criterion. Numerous national statutes mandate complete disconnection of the patient from the ventilator during the procedure to open the airway directly to the atmosphere. These regulations mandate visual observation as an exclusive option for detecting breathing efforts. However, reliance on visual observation alone can pose challenges in identifying subtle respiratory movements.