Editors’ note: 2021 Special Issue on airway management

An Update on Brain Death/Death by Neurologic Criteria since the World Brain Death Project

“…This review summarizes the content of the WBDP (including its 17 supplements) and highlights relevant work published after the WBDP, including the 2023 American Academy of Neurology (AAN)/American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)/Child Neurology Society (CNS)/Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) BD/DNC guideline and the 2023 Canadian BD/DNC guideline (which was published in a “special” special issue of Canadian Journal of Anesthesia called “Defining and Determining Death in Canada” which included over 25 articles on BD/DNC). 1 4 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 Following the organizational structure of the WBDP, it addresses the following topics: (1) worldwide variance in BD/DNC, (2) the science of BD/DNC, (3) the concept of BD/DNC, (4) minimum clinical criteria for BD/DNC determination, (5) beyond minimum clinical BD/DNC determination, (6) pediatric and neonatal BD/DNC determination, (7) BD/DNC determination in patients on ECMO, (8) BD/DNC determination after treatment with TTM, (9) BD/DNC documentation, (10) qualification for and education on BD/DNC determination, (11) somatic support after BD/DNC for organ donation and other special circumstances, (12) religion and BD/DNC: managing requests to forego a BD/DNC evaluation or continue somatic support after BD/DNC, and (13) BD/DNC and the law. Finally, it discusses future areas for BD/DNC research.…”

Construction of cough reflex intensity score for critically ill patients based on the Delphi method

“…Improper airway management can directly threaten the life of patients. [1] Early correct airway assessment and effective airway management can improve patient prognosis. [2] Coughing ability plays an important role in the decision-making process of airway management.…”