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Results for “Persistent Vegetative State”

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PubMed1990

[Early somatosensory and auditory evoked potentials in anoxic coma. Role in evaluating and prognostic value].

Early somatosensory (ESEP) and auditory (EAEP) evoked potentials were recorded in 27 patients with severe coma (Glasgow score less than 5) following cardiorespiratory arrest, within the first 7 days of its course. Somatosensory responses were elicited by stimulation of the median nerve. ESEP were abolished in 17 patients due to a parietal thalamo-cortical lesion. Among these, 6 patients died within one month and 11 presented with a persistent vegetative state. In all patients EAEP were obtained, showing functional brainstem activity. Low-voltage EAEP, especially for peak V (inferior colliculus or upper part of the brainstem), was sometimes observed. One patient, in whom ESEP and EAEP were initially abolished, died rapidly. In 9 other patients scalp-recorded ESEP and EAEP were normal; all emerged from coma including 5 with good neurological recovery and 4 with neurological sequelae. Clinical, electroencephalographic and computerized tomographic data appeared to be devoid of predictive value at the same initial period. In view of their sensitivity to anoxia and to cerebral oedema, even with neurosedative drugs, ESEP seemed to be reliable in predicting outcomes and in evaluating central nervous system lesions at cortical and subcortical levels (basal ganglia and brainstem) after cardiorespiratory arrest.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

[Prognostic value of electroencephalography in non-traumatic comas].

We recorded an EEG within the first few days of coma in 100 patients without history of trauma or drug intoxication, in 50 after cardiac arrest, and in 50 in coma of other, chiefly metabolic etiologies. The EEG findings were classified in 5 categories (I-V) in terms of increasing severity. We were especially interested in the question whether the degree of early EEG disturbances allows prognostic conclusions regarding the clinical fate of patients one month after the beginning of coma. It was found that very severe EEG changes (Grad IV-V) indicate a poor prognosis (death, persistent vegetative state or profound neurological deficits) in over 90% of coma both after cardiac arrest and of other etiologies. An EEG without very severe changes (grade I-III) does not allow definite prognostic conclusions. Depending on the etiology, recovery occurs in 10-33% of cases. The prognostic significance of certain EEG parameters can be summarized as follows: areactivity to external stimuli and the presence of an "alpha-coma" pattern are usually (but not necessarily) associated with a poor outcome. The same applies to coma patients with epileptiform patterns in the EEG and/or suffering from epileptic or myoclonic seizures. One-fourth of patients with triphasic EEG complexes recover completely.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

[Comments on specific early rehabilitation of patients with severe craniocerebral trauma].

The considerable advances made in the rescue and intensive care fields have entailed drastically increased numbers of survivors of severe head injury. Because of ethical reasons alone, the call for early rehabilitation of patients with persistent vegetative state post-trauma appears justified. Aside lifesaving intensive medical care in the acute phase, available empirical studies have so far not been able to provide evidence for the superiority of specific early rehabilitation measures. Clinicians lack pragmatic decision-making aids in the question of how long patients should be treated in the acute clinic. Nursing homes currently are no alternative, as they will hardly ever be equipped in a manner enabling them to cope with the considerable nursing requirements posed by these patients.

Brain Damage, Chronic↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Life-sustaining treatment. A legal-ethical dilemma.

The U.S. Supreme Court decision in Cruzan by Cruzan v. Harmon will have a major impact on how we will care for patients in a persistent vegetative state. Each healthcare institution will need to review its life-sustaining treatment policies to match the guidelines established by the Supreme Court. Nurse executives also need to develop strategies to manage staff morale in coping with the conflicts surrounding the issues of preservation of life, quality of life, and patient/family choice regarding treatment.

Adult↗

PubMed1987

[Sequential changes in acute phase reactant proteins and complement activation in patients with acute head injuries].

The role of immunological mechanisms in head injury is not clearly defined. In this study we investigated the immunological function in patients with acute head injuries. Serum acute phase reactant proteins (APRP), complement activation and immunoglobulines as immunological parameters were studied. APRP are produced in the liver and increase in cancer patients as well as those with acute and chronic inflammations, trauma and autoimmune diseases. APRP are known to be one of the immunosuppressive factors in the serum. Forty patients with acute head injuries were studied. Thirty-four patients were male and six patients were female, ages ranged from 12 to 81 years. Serial blood samples were obtained during the first seven days of trauma. The Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) were recorded at the time of admission for all patients. Clinical outcome was assessed at the time of discharge according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale. The "good" group consisted of patients with good recovery or moderate disability. The "bad" group consisted of patients with severe disability, persistent vegetative state and death. The concentrations of immunoglobulines (IgG, IgM, IgA) were within normal range and humoral immunity was not affected. Complement activation at the time of admission was closely related to GCS (p less than 0.01), but the levels of C4, C3, and C3 activator except for these of CH50 were within normal range.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

PubMed1989

Decisions to withhold or terminate treatment.

Decisions to withhold or terminate treatment are common clinical dilemmas in patients dying from diseases of the nervous system. Decision making for such patients must be based upon ethical principles. Under the doctrine of valid consent and refusal, competent patients have the right to refuse life-sustaining therapies. For incompetent patients, this right may be exercised through their previously executed advanced directives or through appointed proxy decision makers. Physicians have the duty to assess the potential benefits and harms of various treatment options and to clearly communicate this information to patients and their proxies in a supportive manner. The authors illustrate the application of ethical principles in neurologists' management of patients in persistent vegetative states, dementia, and end-stage neuromuscular disease.

Beneficence↗

PubMed1989

[Prognosis of post-anoxic coma].

The outcome of anoxic coma following cardiac arrest depends on the aetiological circumstances, on pre-existing visceral deficiencies and on the duration of inefficient circulation. Outside the extreme cases of prompt return to consciousness or early death, in many patients this course is marked by neurological sequelae of varying severity which may result in a persistent vegetative state. Initially, there is nothing that can predict the quality of survival, but within 72 hours the neurological examination usually makes it possible to foresee irreversible situations with permanent loss of consciousness. The decisional problems that ensue are discussed.

Coma↗

PubMed1989

[Effects and indications of spinal cord stimulation on the vegetative syndrome].

The effects of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) on the vegetative syndrome were studied in six patients. Factors affecting the results were mentioned with a view to establishing indications as to whether or not the SCS should be performed. "Persistent vegetative states" were thought to be identical with Ohta's "vegetative syndrome" which consists of eleven signs. Six of these signs--polyphasic cycle of waking and sleeping, urinary incontinence, being bedridden and being tube fed etc--were important criteria of the vegetative syndrome. SCS was thought to be effective if one or more of the 6 signs disappeared after SCS. SCS was performed at level from C2 to C4 with a frequency of 25 to 120 Hz, an intensity of 2.5 to 6 volts, a pulse duration of 0.3 to 0.5 msec. and a duration of 3 to 11 hours per day. Neurological signs, ABR, CT/MRI, EEG and the grade of the vegetative syndrome were estimated before and after SCS. In the course of SCS, 2 of the 6 patients recovered from the vegetative syndrome. Both had a localized lesion in the brain stem without a cerebral lesion on CT/MRI, with bilateral appearance of the fifth peak with prolonged latency and decreased amplitude of main peaks on ABR. The other 4 patients showed little or no improvement. They all had diffuse cerebral atrophy or low density areas on CT and almost normal ABR. One of these patients, who suffered a cerebral contusion leading to transtentorial herniation with unilateral cerebral contusion on CT and unilateral disappearance of the fifth peak on ABR, showed no recovery from the vegetative syndrome.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

PubMed1987

[Cranial traumatology. Recent statistical data].

The authors describe a one-year prospective study carried out in Créteil from October, 1983 to October, 1984 in 155 selected patients admitted for at least 24 hours with traumatic head injury. Patients with gunshot wounds of the head were excluded from the study. 30% of the patients were infants, 60% were adults aged between 15 and 60, and 5% were over 60; 48% were not comatose (initial Glasgow symptomatic score [GSC] greater than or equal to 8) and 36% were free of any neurological symptom. Prognosis was related to the initial neurological status, to the patient's age and to underlying diseases, such as alcoholism. 10 out of 11 patients with an initial GSC of 4 or less died, against 12 out of 144 with a GSC above 5. At the first CT scan, 10% were found to have an extradural haematoma, but the examination was normal in 20% of patients with neurological symptoms and/or coma; 22% of the CT scans were abnormal without any clinical symptom, as was the case, in particular, with 4 extradural haematomas. Surgery was performed in 24% of all patients and in 17.4% of infants, whereas the percentage reached 30% in alcoholic patients, due to the frequency of intracerebral haematomas in this population. In 16% of the 155 cases, barbiturates were used to treat uncontrolled intracranial pressure higher than 20 mmHg. 15% of the 155 patients deteriorated; a second operation was necessary in 9 cases. The final outcome on discharge was: 112/155 patients with good recovery or moderate disability, 22 with severe disability, 5 with persistent vegetative state and 21 deaths.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1988

[Clinical significance of serial monitoring of short-latency somatosensory evoked potential in head injury with special reference to intracranial hypertension].

Short-latency somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) was serially monitored in head-injured patients and its clinical significance was evaluated in relation to auditory brain stem response (ABR), prognosis and other parameters such as intracranial pressure (ICP). SEP, ABR, and ICP were monitored serially and automatically in 16 patients with acute head injury. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score was equal to or less than 8 in 14 cases. High dose barbiturate therapy was performed in 7 cases and intracranial hematoma was removed operatively in 14 cases. SEP was recorded from C3'or C4'-Fz leads on the lesion side following stimulation of the contralateral median nerve, and the difference between the two potentials (N20, N13) defined as central conduction time (CCT) was followed at a basic time interval of 10-20 min. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to N20 finding and the prognosis of each group was analyzed. The final outcome (assessed 6 months after injury) was graded according to Glasgow Outcome Scale as follows: good (good recovery, moderate disability), poor (severe disability, persistent vegetative state), death (death). Three patients with no CCT change showed good recovery (table, 11). Out of 7 patients with no N20 on admission, 5 died due to severely increased ICP and the prognosis for the other 2 cases was poor. The last group consisted of 6 patients in whom CCT varied during hospitalization. In 3 out of these 6 cases N20 finally disappeared due to increased ICP and they died in the acute stage.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

PubMed1986

Cerebral edema complicating nonketotic hyperosmolar coma.

Cerebral edema as a complication of the therapy of diabetic coma has been described for over 50 years, although modern awareness dates to about 1967. Almost all cases have occurred in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Although a few cases of cerebral edema have been reported in patients with nonketotic hyperosmolar coma (NKHC), these are in general not well documented by either autopsy data of cat scans. Over a period of 9 years, I have encountered 5 patients who developed cerebral edema as a complication of the therapy of NKHC. The initial plasma glucose in these patients was 1,496 +/- (SD) 296 mg/dl and plasma osmolality was 382 +/- 29 mosm/kg. All had depression of sensorium to at least a stupor (stage I coma or greater). All were treated with intravenous insulin and either 77 or 154 mM NaCl, and plasma glucose fell at a mean rate of 38 mg/dl/h. In all patients, plasma glucose fell below 250 mg/dl (mean of 18 +/- 66 mg/dl) and all patients experienced increased depression of sensorium, elevated csf pressure, and brain swelling as diagnosed by cat scanning. Therapy with various combinations of glucose, mannitol and steroids were without effect. In 1 patient, insertion of a subdural intracranial screw lowered intracranial pressure from 24 to 3 cm of H2O. Three of the 5 patients died and 2 remain in a persistent vegetative state, 1 of whom is also quadriplegic.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1987

Brophy v New England Sinai Hospital, Inc. Brief amicus curiae, Society for the Right to Die, Inc. on behalf of appellant.

On September 11, 1986, the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, in a 4-3 decision, authorized removal of the artificial feeding tube. It held that the "substituted judgment" of an incompetent person in a persistent vegetative state to refuse artificially administered sustenance must be honored. The Court also refused to compel the hospital in this case to terminate the treatment, but permitted other hospitals to comply with the patient's wishes. We are publishing the amicus curiae brief filed by the Society for the Right to Die, Inc. in the Brophy case. Our purpose in doing this is to stimulate further discussion of the issue of the role of the patients who become incompetent, a matter of major concern to geriatric specialists. This brief has been well-prepared. It contains a legal and ethical history of considerable merit. It has not, however, been endorsed by the American Geriatrics Society (AGS). Some of the principles the AGS has endorsed can be found on its own brief filed in the Conroy case (published in the December 1984 issue of the Journal). Physicians and medical ethicists in particular may wish to consider the caveats noted by David Thomasma, PhD. in his editorial in this issue of the Journal. We invite further discussion.

Hospitals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Long survival after cardiac arrest: case report and neuropathological findings.

A 14-year-old male survived for nearly 3 years following a cardiac arrest. During this period he remained unconscious and electroencephalogram recordings indicated a virtual absence of neocortical activity. Clinically there was some retention of brainstem function evidenced by spontaneous respiration, eye movements, cough and swallow reflex. He was in a persistent vegetative state until his death. We believe this to be one of the longest surviving cases to be recorded. Neuropathological findings correlated with the clinical picture, and demonstrated the selective vulnerability of various areas within the brain. The brain was reduced in weight to 880 g. There was extensive necrosis affecting the cortex and basal ganglia and the cerebellum showed severe loss of Purkinje and granule cells. In certain nuclei of the thalamus there was neuronal loss and gliosis. There was relative sparing of the brain stem. The superimposed effects of retrograde degeneration is demonstrated in various sites.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1986

[Metabolic changes of plasma norepinephrine levels in acute head injury].

The plasma catecholamine levels have been accepted as an index of sympathetic nervous activity in cardiovascular and neurologic disorders. It is known that the plasma norepinephrine (NE) level is thought to reflect the degree of sympathetic nervous activity. NE is the neurotransmitter released from sympathetic nerve endings. In recent years several studies have suggested the role of biogenic amines in brain and spinal cord trauma. Head injury is almost always associated with systemic changes. Patients with head injury often exhibit cardiovascular abnormalities, hypertension, tachycardia, electrocardiographic abnormalities and acute pulmonary edema which are regarded as signs of increased sympathetic nervous system activity. The present study was undertaken to examine whether the measurement of plasma NE levels is valuable to assess and evaluate clinical status of patients with acute head injuries. Sixty patients with acute head injuries admitted to our Department were studied. Fourty seven patients were male and thirteen patients were female, ages ranged from 2 to 70 years. All patients were diagnosed by CT scan within three hours after head injury. Serial blood samples were also obtained during the first 7 days after head injury. The plasma NE was measured by high performance liquid chromatography. The Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) and the Japan Coma Scale (JCS) were recorded at admission for all patients. Clinical outcome was assessed at the time of discharge according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale. The "good" group consisted of patients with good recovery or moderate disability. The "poor" group consisted of patients with severe disability and persistent vegetative state and the "dead" group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

PubMed1985

Inhospital CPR 25 years later: why has survival decreased?

Since the introduction of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) 25 years ago, there have been many advances in cardiopulmonary technology and in our understanding of the factors leading to a successful outcome. Despite these advances, our study of outcomes in 88 patients having CPR at Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1981 revealed a 14% survival rate to discharge compared with 24% from the same hospital from 1959 to 1961. We found that 74% of the 46 patients who initially survived CPR died before discharge. In addition, two of 12 survivors at discharge were dead one week later and one was in a persistent vegetative state three years after CPR. Our findings suggest that this technology, once meant to be applied when cardiac arrest was sudden and unexpected, is now being applied to patients regardless of underlying condition or prognosis. A follow-up survey of 63 Maryland hospitals revealed that many lacked formal plans for CPR management or education. We recommend that a comprehensive approach to CPR be adopted by all hospitals, involving education regarding appropriate patient selection, assurance of skilled application and backup care for survivors, and a mechanism for routinely monitoring outcome.

Hospital Bed Capacity, 500 and over↗

PubMed1995

Cardiac tamponade caused by central venous catheter perforation of the heart: a preventable complication.

BACKGROUND: Pericardial tamponade caused by central venous catheter perforation of the heart is a catastrophic complication that can be prevented by attention to proper positioning of the catheter tip proximal to the cardiac silhouette. This study was performed to determine awareness of this potential complication among physicians and to suggest measures to minimize the incidence of this problem. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical and radiologic features of 11 cases were evaluated. House officers and attending staff who frequently pass central venous catheters and train junior physicians to place these catheters were questioned specifically to test their awareness of this complication and their knowledge of optimal catheter tip positioning. Attending radiology staff physicians were questioned similarly. The written protocols of local community hospitals with respect to central venous catheter placement were reviewed to determine their criteria for optimal catheter placement. RESULTS: Ten of the 11 cases reviewed resulted in death; the 11th case resulted in severe anoxic brain insult with a persistent vegetative state. In the ten cases that had radiologic studies available for review, the central venous catheter tip was seen to lie malpositioned within the cardiac silhouette. Questioning of house officers and attending staff as well as attending radiology staff revealed a lack of awareness of this problem generally and a lack of knowledge of optimal catheter tip positioning specifically. The protocols of area hospitals revealed similar findings with respect to this potential complication. CONCLUSIONS: Pericardial tamponade resulting from central venous catheter perforation of the heart can be avoided by adherence to proper technique in the placement of these catheters, ensuring that the catheter tip lies proximal to the cardiac silhouette, optimally in the superior vena cava, 2 cm proximal to the pericardial reflection. Physicians who place these catheters and train others to do so must be aware of this issue and they must educate their trainees as well. Radiologists responsible for interpreting the roentgenographs of the chest obtained after catheter placement should be alert to catheter malposition and communicate this information promptly. Hospital protocols should deal with this issue explicitly and insist on repositioning of catheters if catheter tips are seen to lodge in suboptimal positions.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

The teaching of bioethics to the health care team: the neurologist's role.

The term 'bioethics' connotes not only the complexity of the subject but also the importance of adopting an interdisciplinary approach to it. Any given bioethical issue should be considered from a biological as well as anthropological and social perspective. Treating and evaluating ethical ideas without regard for these three aspects means diminishing and limiting them. Owing to the progress in intensive care and thanks to our increased sensitivity towards patients affected by irreversible diseases, many ethical problems have emerged relating to new conditions (for instance persistent vegetative state) or to already known ones (for example the later stages of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or dementias). In future, it is likely that neurologists will be called upon to address an increasing number of ethical concerns, as primary care givers, consultants or members of ethics consultative teams, given that they are the most qualified to throw light on individual cases with regard to their diagnostic and prognostic, as well as on ethical, rational and emotional aspects. Neurologists are eminently suitable to play a crucial part in medical decision making regarding issues such as the administration or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment. Furthermore, neurologists have much to contribute to the education of the health care team. This is because they are used to formulating judgments grounded on their professional experience in dealing with problems both physical and psychological. On the basis of these considerations, the author believes that neurologists are among the most qualified to bridge the gap between the two major components of bioethics: natural and human science. These components should find their synthesis and completeness in the bioethical debate.

Coma↗

PubMed1994

[Acute poisoning caused by hydrogen sulphide: clinical features of 3 cases].

We describe three cases of acute intoxication by hydrogen sulphide which were produced after remaining between 50 and 60 minutes inside a cellulose tank. The three patients had loss of conscience. One of the patients developed a persistent vegetative state; another patient recovered although with neurological post-anoxic sequelas and the third case completely recovered one week after his hospitalization. The patients underwent symptomatic treatment and the environmental concentrations of hydrogen sulphide were measured at the site of the accident. Finally, the application of preventive measures is stressed.

Adult↗