TABLE 3.

Physiologic pathways to death

Physiologic pathways to death50
Primary or secondary brain event with cessation of brain function, most often associated with intracranial hypertension and cessation of brain blood flow, leading to apnea, hypoxemia, cardiac arrest, and cessation of circulation
Primary or secondary respiratory event causing hypoxemia resulting in cardiac arrest and cessation of circulation to all organs including the brain, resulting in the permanent loss of the capacity for consciousness and brainstem reflexes
Primary or secondary cardiac event resulting in cardiac arrest and cessation of circulation to all organs including the brain, resulting in the permanent loss of the capacity for consciousness and brainstem reflexes