Clinically Relevant Blood Pressure Elevation During Apnea Testing for Brain Death Determination: Association With Circulating Catecholamines.

Both apnea tests were associated with significant increases in cardiovascular parameters.

Median SBP increased from 123.5 mmHg (interquartile range [IQR], 109.2 to 142.0) to 147.5 mmHg (IQR, 128.0 to 178.8; p <0.001).

Median HR increased from 81.0 beats/min (IQR, 72.0 to 96.0) to 90.0 beats/min (IQR, 75.2 to 102.2), and DBP increased from 70.0 mmHg (IQR, 62.0 to 81.0) to 82.5 mmHg (IQR, 70.5 to 99.0) (all p <0.001).

Peak mean arterial pressure increased to 105.5 mmHg (IQR, 89.3 to 125.7), exceeding 90 mmHg and 100 mmHg in 72.2% and 57.4% of tests, respectively.