irreversible coma

coma /co·ma/ (ko´mah) [L.] a state of profound unconsciousness from which the patient cannot be aroused, even by powerful stimuli.co´matose

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alcoholic coma  stupor accompanying severe alcoholic intoxication.

diabetic coma  the coma of severe diabetic acidosis.

hepatic coma  coma accompanying hepatic encephalopathy.

irreversible coma  brain death.

Kussmaul's coma  the coma and air hunger of diabetic acidosis.

metabolic coma  the coma accompanying metabolic encephalopathy.

uremic coma  lethargic state due to uremia.

coma vigil  locked-in syndrome.

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irreversible coma.

See brain death.

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coma

a state of unconsciousness from which the patient cannot be aroused, even by powerful stimuli.

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alpha coma

coma in which there are electroencephalographic findings of dominant alpha-wave activity.

diabetic coma

the coma of severe diabetic acidosis. See also diabetes mellitus.

hepatic coma

results from reversible biochemical abnormalities of the cerebrum, caused by elevated blood levels of toxic substances such as ammonia, amino acids, short-chain fatty acids and beta hydroxylated biogenic amines that accumulate in severe liver disease. See also hepatic encephalopathy.

irreversible coma

coma in which for a period of 24 hours there is complete nonreceptivity and nonresponsivity even to the most intensely painful stimuli, no spontaneous movement or breathing, absence of elicitable reflexes, and a flat electroencephalogram. Called also brain death.

myxedema coma

the mental stupor caused by severe hypothyroidism; seen most often in Doberman pinchers, it is associated with hypoventilation, hypothermia, hypotension and bradycardia. Death may occur.