Flatline refers to no electrical activity in heart (asystole) or brain (brain death). ECG flatline occurs when heart stops beating, identified by ECG test. EEG flatline shows brain death, diagnosed by EEG test
Brain death is permanent, irreversible loss of brain function. Distinct from persistent vegetative state and comas. Whole-brain death includes brainstem function, unlike cerebral death
Brain death is irreversible cessation of all cerebral and brainstem functioning. Final pathway involves progressive intracranial hypertension and tissue damage. Complete brain death occurs when no blood enters the brain
Brain death concept emerged in 1959 with Mollaret and Goulon's theory. Harvard established first clinical definition in 1968. Uniform Determination of Death Act established legal basis in 1980
Brain death is irreversible end of all brain activity. Imaging supports clinical diagnosis when clinical tests are impossible. Brain death imaging doesn't indicate global hypoxic-ischemic injury