Few people know about Lazarus syndrome. In the world in all 38 cases of this phenomenon are registered. Let us consider more specifically its significance for science and life. This phenomenon is extremely rare and there is also very little information about it. The only thing that can be said for sure is that it exists. But until recently, science could not explain it. The whole explanation is based on the individual characteristics of a person.
What it is?
This syndrome is also called the resurrection of Lazarus. That is, the possibility of resurrection, as such, does not exist, it is just that each individual has a different auto-resuscitation and sometimes there is a violation of venous circulation. These patients have no signs of life for 10 minutes. When starting the heart, an electric device is used, which within 60 seconds starts the circulation of vital organs. However, in patients with Lazarus syndrome, this takes much longer, so they should be monitored longer in time. Since the launch of the heart can occur spontaneously at any minute. After the set time, death is ascertained.
Where does the name come from?
Why did Lazarus syndrome get such a name? Everything is very simple. That was the name of the man who was brought back to life by Jesus Christ. This event is mentioned in the Bible. From the point of view of science, this is the restoration of spontaneous circulation after stopping cardiopulmonary resuscitation. But also this happens without the participation of resuscitation. They first talked about such a term in 1982. And until that moment there were cases when death was recorded in a perfectly healthy person.
Scientific evidence
As mentioned earlier, science knows only 38 cases when a person returned to life. All situations are very individual. They occurred both in the hospital and beyond. All patients had various diseases, therefore, different reasons for stopping life support. It also varies the time of cardiac arrest and the work of the whole organism as a whole, the time period from 6 to 75 minutes. Of course, if the doctors were not aware of the syndrome, then people would be declared dead.
Prospective factors
How is Lazarus syndrome explained in medicine? Many scientists agree that the fault may be a malfunction of the human pulmonary system. What could be the reason for poor blood circulation in the venous system, which may affect the heart rate? The work of the heart can be restored only after the obstructions of oxygen access to it are removed.
What does autoresuscitation mean after cardiac arrest? With autoresuscitation, electrical activity without a pulse is possible, but here it is extremely important not to overdo it with ventilation of pulmonary resuscitation. Experts advise at some point to stop the resuscitation process in order to give the venous system and heart time to start work on their own. This takes no more than 30 seconds, if the resurrection of Lazarus does not occur, that is, the resumption of the heart, then they continue to perform artificial resuscitation.
Causes
Many doctors seek to apply this theory to patients who do not suffer from pulmonary disease. In practice, the syndrome has an explanation:
1. Slow exposure to drugs. During the restoration of spontaneous circulation after cardiac arrest, the patient is administered drugs that can reanimate the cardiopulmonary system. But each body reacts differently to drugs, so there may be a delay in the intake of the necessary substances to the heart.
2. Hyperkalemia. A fairly common case when an existing disease prevents the contraction of the myocardium.
3. Ischemia can lead to myocardial dysfunction, this condition persists for several hours, and then normal heart function is restored.
4. Asystole. Ventricular fibrillation occurs, then asystole occurs. In most cases, this condition is fatal. And only in 15% of patients the heart rate is restored.
Lazarus syndrome - consequences
This fact has serious medical consequences and also leads to legal consequences for staff. Doctors undergo a thorough check, the whole process of resuscitation is found out. For example, how was the work done to resuscitate the patient's cardiopulmonary system? How long did the restoration of spontaneous circulation last? What drugs were used after the termination of cardiopulmonary resuscitation?
The medical team can be accused of negligence and failure to fulfill their obligations. There may also be allegations of incompetence, which may entail suspension from work, a lawsuit by relatives to the medical staff about material compensation. Criminal proceedings may be instituted against workers who performed work to restore cardiopulmonary resuscitation. They can be blamed for the manslaughter of the patient, if all the requirements for restoring life support are not met.
Of course, for the patient there is also a risk of severe disorders. Relatives may accuse doctors of harming the patient’s health after delaying the restoration of spontaneous circulation after death. Medical professionals should be extremely careful when writing to the patient’s card all resuscitation after cardiopulmonary arrest.
Doctors Actions
What is death? This is a process in which the main important organs of life support are damaged and lead to a stop of the heart and breathing. But these data are not entirely correct for stating death in humans. Since today there is the concept of the Lazarus phenomenon. Therefore, it is worth waiting at least 10 minutes before confirming that the person has died. During this time, the patient's family should be aware of his condition. The doctor should tell in detail what happened, what consequences may arise. What work is being done or will happen in the future. Relatives should know that their loved one is being constantly monitored to fix the time of death without any errors. Since in addition to stopping the heart and lungs, the brain should stop working. Then we can accurately state the death of a person. The doctor is also obliged to express condolences to the relatives of the deceased and provide medical support, if necessary.
In history, there are many cases where people were buried alive. Since the phenomenon of Lazarus was still unknown to anyone. Yes, and today many scientists refute it or question it, trying to find reasonable explanations for this fact. But still, most doctors agree that this phenomenon exists, and we must reckon with it. The main thing is that there should be no obvious errors in the actions of the team of doctors. They must comply with all requirements for the return of the body.
Conclusion
So, Lazarus syndrome is a delayed restoration of spontaneous circulation after cardiopulmonary resuscitation is stopped. A reversible consequence of resuscitation may be dynamic hyperventilation of the pulmonary system. After cardiac and pulmonary arrest, the patient should be observed for at least 10 minutes. In this case, it must be connected to monitors measuring pressure and ECG, after that, if the organs providing vital activity do not begin circulation, then death can be stated.