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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Recovery Possible After When In Comma?

My sister in-law had a pulmonary embolism on March 3rd., which doctor stated caused lack of oxygen for approximately 20 - 30 minutes, she then suffered a mild heart attack. She was in an induced coma for 72 hours, but when it was reversed, there was no change in the EEG. The coma stage is a 4. She is no longer on a ventilator, but has not come out of the coma for just over 4 weeks. In your opinion, will she recover? Will she be functional? She was moved from an ICU at the local hospital and into an extended acute care facility. Her family believes she yawns & is trying to focus her eyes. I m wondering if this is merely a natural reflex. Please advise at your earliest convenience. Thank you!
posted on Sat, 5 Apr 2014
Twitter Fri, 24 Oct 2014 Answered on
Twitter Fri, 24 Oct 2014 Last reviewed on
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Internal Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Unfortunately she is unlikely to recover or be functional. If she had lack of oxygen for 20 to 30 minutes, then she suffered severe brain damage. The lack of oxygen was enough to cause a mild heart attack, which means the brain damage was much worse. She most likely will be in what is called a persistent vegetative state. In such cases, the part of the brain controlling automatic functions such as breathing is still working, but the higher levels of brain where thinking, talking, personality etc are located are not working. Since some lower brain function is left, she will have some natural reflexes such as the yawning and focusing eyes. People in this state may actually appear to be tracking objects with their eyes, and may make sounds or laugh. This can be very distressing to family as it seems the person is coming out of it, but it's just a reflex. I am so sorry she and your family have suffered this tragedy.
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Is Recovery Possible After When In Comma?

Unfortunately she is unlikely to recover or be functional. If she had lack of oxygen for 20 to 30 minutes, then she suffered severe brain damage. The lack of oxygen was enough to cause a mild heart attack, which means the brain damage was much worse. She most likely will be in what is called a persistent vegetative state. In such cases, the part of the brain controlling automatic functions such as breathing is still working, but the higher levels of brain where thinking, talking, personality etc are located are not working. Since some lower brain function is left, she will have some natural reflexes such as the yawning and focusing eyes. People in this state may actually appear to be tracking objects with their eyes, and may make sounds or laugh. This can be very distressing to family as it seems the person is coming out of it, but it s just a reflex. I am so sorry she and your family have suffered this tragedy.