Unusual spontaneous movements in brain‐dead patients

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Abstract
Striking arm movements are described in five braindead patients. The arms flex quickly to the chest from the patient9s side, the shoulders adduct, and in some patients, the hands cross or oppose just below the chin. The limbs then return to the patient9s side, sometimes asymmetrically. These movements are precipitated after several minutes by hypoxia or ischemia when the ventilator is removed terminally, or during apnea testing. Families of brain-dead patients should be dissuaded from remaining in the room with the patient after the ventilator is turned off.

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