Cerebral death: aspects and implications

Abstract

Cerebral death is a common phenomenon in hospitals, especially in the ICUs. In the specification of thanatogenesis process, death offers some problems not only regarding the affected persons, that is patients and the members of their family, but also those who assure medical assistance and at the same time the civil community. The continuation of the treatment even in the situation of cerebral steam dead posture, is asked more through religious consideration of the families, than in the interest of the patient in cerebral death. In this sense, even if there are exact legislative references, a reconciliatory attitude accepting the desires of the families is suggested. This represents the deontological mode of attitude. It has to be specified that cerebral death means, in fact, the social death of the individual, as a physical person.

Key words: cerebral death, legal and religious implications

Jurnalul Român de Anestezie Terapie intensivă 2003 Vol.10 Nr.2, 152-157

Moartea cerebrală. Aspecte şi implicaţii