electrocerebral silence

Flat or isoelectric encephalogram; an electroencephalogram with absence of cerebral activity over 2 μv from symmetrically placed electrode pairs 10 or more centimeters apart, and with interelectrode resistance between 100 and 10,000 ohms; if such a record is present for 30 minutes in a clinically brain dead adult and if drug intoxication, hypothermia, and recent hypotension have been excluded, the diagnosis of cerebral death is supported. SYN: electrocerebral inactivity, flat electroencephalogram, isoelectric electroencephalogram.

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(ECS) electrical silence in the cerebral cortex. Temporary silence may occur with overdoses of depressant drugs such as barbiturates and benzodiazepines, with hypothermia, or with cardiogenic shock. Permanent silence is one of the criteria for a diagnosis of brain death. Called also electrocerebral inactivity.