Some neurological aspects of reanimatology

Abstract

Among medical sciences there has recently appeared another one, reanimatology, the science of resuscitation. This science is close to anesthesiology and to many other clinical and theoretical disciplines which to some measure have to deal with problems of dying and resuscitation of the body. The essence of this science is the study ‘of the regular patterns of dying and recovery of the vital functions of the body to provide more effective therapy of terminal states. The role of recovery of central nervous system functions in resuscitation of the body is so great that reanimatology can be called with good reason a neurological science. Therapy aimed at recovery of the brain function should be started simultaneously with measures to be taken to restore the function of the cardio-vascular system and respiration. Recovery of the body without revival of the brain should be considered as a defect of resuscitation. We consider the body revived only in case when all its functions are revived including the complete recovery of the higher brain functions. Reanimatology is closely connected with theoretical biology since it is difficult to imagine the creation of the general theory of life, the whole conception of its essence without considering the stage at which life ends. Historical data are also important in the investigation of the given problem. Study of the mechanisms of decay and recovery of the vital functions in the phylogenetic aspect, especially detection of the processes determining the more elevated resistance of some animals to the developing process of dying, is a most important route of investigation. Struggle for earlier recovery of the dying patient from a severe terminal state, especially coma, is the main aim of the successful outcome of resuscitation. Recovery of cortical regulation of physiological functions is the most effective method of maintaining the beginning revival of the body and compensation of those pathological disorders, i.e. those “failures” which had developed in the body in the process of dying and at the initial period of revival. Of course, it would be groundless to hope for the compensatory role of the higher brain functions, if blood loss was not replaced and severe metabolic disorders were not eliminated.