The persistent vegetative state – General considerations

Abstract

The persistent vegetative state is a clinical condition of complete unawareness of the self and the environment accompanied by sleep-wake cycles with either complete or partial preservation of hypothalamic and brainstem autonomic functions. It usually follows the coma and it means that due to extensive and irrevocable brain damage a patients is highly unlikely ever to achieve higher functions above a vegetative state. This state does not mean that improvement is impossible, but does open the possibility for a judicial request to end life support. The authors wish to highlight the causes, diagnosis, management and ethical considerations about this condition in our country.