Systemic and Myocardial Oxygen Transport Responses to Brain Death in Pigs

The initial surge in VO2 after brain death is offset by the greater increase in DO2, thus tissue perfusion remains adequate. The lower than baseline VO2 and SVR at the end of the study period may indicate general metabolic and hemodynamic compromise. The information regarding the profound metabolic alterations imposed by brain death may have implications for management of brain death donors.