Matthew Kirschen

Matthew Kirschen, an associate professor in critical care at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and lead author on new brain death guidelines, joins the discussion. He sheds light on the essential updates in brain death determination for both children and adults. The conversation emphasizes collaboration among medical organizations, the complexities with specific cases like pregnancy, and methods for accurate evaluation despite challenges. Kirschen also stresses the importance of thorough training and legal frameworks for critical care teams.

In this enlightening discussion, Dr. Matthew Kirschen, an associate professor in critical care at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, shares insights on the updated brain death guidelines. He explains the collaborative efforts that led to a unified protocol for both adults and children. Key topics include the challenges of assessing brain death in complex cases, such as those involving posterior fossa injuries, and the legal and ethical considerations surrounding the determination process. Dr. Kirschen emphasizes the importance of standardized evaluations to enhance accuracy and patient care.

Dr. Matthew Kirschen, a leader in pediatric neurocritical care and one of the authors of new brain death guidelines, discusses the prerequisites for determining brain death, updates in the guidelines for pediatric neurocritical care, brain death examinations, diagnostic tests, and the importance of communication with families in brain death cases.

Dr. David Fischer, a neurointensivist at the University of Pennsylvania, and Dr. Matthew Kirschen, a pediatric neurointensivist at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, dive deep into the complexities of brain death testing. They discuss the updated 2023 guidelines that unify adult and pediatric protocols, addressing the risks of incorrect determinations and the importance of rigorous training for clinicians. Key topics include the role of family consent, the challenges of assessing brain death in specific cases, and the intricacies of apnea testing.

Matthew Kirschen, MD, PhD, a critical care expert from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, joins host Diane McLaughlin to discuss updated brain death guidelines. They delve into the new consensus that integrates criteria for both children and adults. Key updates include structured assessments and the importance of thorough evaluations, especially in complex cases involving brain injuries. Matthew also highlights the ethical implications of determining brain death and the necessity for comprehensive training among practitioners.