Minimally Conscious State and Persistent Vegetative State

Advances in critical care medicine have allowed for more patients to survive catastrophic brain injuries. However, the degree of recovery from serious neurologic injury is highly variable. An acute, severe neurologic insult can cause a state of pathologic unconsciousness referred to as a coma. Common causes of brain injuries leading to a comatose state include cardiac arrest, a severe vascular event, a profound metabolic disturbance (eg, hypoglycemia), carbon monoxide or other poisoning, intoxications, or overdoses. The duration of a comatose state is rarely longer than days to weeks.