Discontinuing ventilatory support for determination of respiratory drive is a recognized means of assessing clinical brain death. Methodology must include a means for assuring adequate oxygenation during the test as well as providing sufficient duration for appropriate hypercarbia. Nine patients with other findings of clinical brain death were prospectively assessed with a standardized apnea test protocol. None demonstrated spontaneous respirations. Whereas adequate oxygenation was maintained in each case, wide variability was evident in degree of hypercarbia and acidosis.
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Rowland et al. (1984) studied this question.