Predicting the outcome of a comatose patient at the bedside

What is it about?

When a loved one is comatose, neurologists frequently receive a request to explain to family and friends what has happened and what can be expected going forward. These discussions are difficult because there is no standard clinical course, and coma can result from many possible causes including drugs and injury. Some patients may totally defy the odds and recover, but recovery is seldom complete, and often patients sustain significant disability. This review provides a practical approach to evaluating and sharing a possible outcome of a comatose patient.

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