It's quite well known that extradural hematomas, a kind of cerebral hemorrhage, can leave a lucid interval after injury
— Gary Hartstein (@former_f1doc) 29 december 2013
Then as the hematoma forms, the sudden increase in pressure causes sudden and dramatic symptoms. Pressure must be relieved rapidly.
— Gary Hartstein (@former_f1doc) 29 december 2013
This is done with a neurosurgical intervention. Then the victim is observed in an ICU environment
— Gary Hartstein (@former_f1doc) 29 december 2013
Quality of recovery depends on: 1) severity of initial injury 2) acuteness and amplitude of pressure rise when hematoma forms...
— Gary Hartstein (@former_f1doc) 29 december 2013
3) rapidity with which it is drained 4) quality of neuro intensive care and rehab
— Gary Hartstein (@former_f1doc) 29 december 2013
About the "induced coma". Lets demystify it just a bit. Any severe head injury leads to a loss of coordination of tongue and throat muscles
— Gary Hartstein (@former_f1doc) 29 december 2013
Happens to some when they sleep - called SNORING. But this is reapiratory obstruction and causes CO2 to rise and oxygen to fall.
— Gary Hartstein (@former_f1doc) 29 december 2013
But the brain wants oxygen and hates CO2. So we put tubes in these patient's tracheas and use reapirators. This protects the airway
— Gary Hartstein (@former_f1doc) 29 december 2013
And gives excellent control of ventilation and oxygenation. But to intubate someone, he or she needs to be pretty deeply anesthetised
— Gary Hartstein (@former_f1doc) 29 december 2013
So this is the usual "artificial coma". It IS a induced coma, but in fact it's like a prolonged, protective, anesthetic.
— Gary Hartstein (@former_f1doc) 29 december 2013
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