Metabolic Encephalopathy, Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy, and Brain Death

Encephalopathy is a generic term that refers to global brain dysfunction, particularly involving impaired arousal, inattention, and confusion, due to processes that affect brain regions diffusely. Metabolic encephalopathy refers to global brain dysfunction that is due to metabolic derangements and not due to structural brain abnormality. The diagnosis and management of metabolic encephalopathy must be tailored to the specific etiology. Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is due to diffuse brain damage, particularly cortical, that results from a prolonged period of impaired blood flow to the brain. Various features may assist in determining prognosis after such injury. Finally, brain death refers to a condition of irreversible loss of brain function, including functions of the brainstem. The precise diagnostic criteria for establishing brain death differ by institution and country.