Lazarus Syndrome — Challenges Created by Pediatric Autoresuscitation

We report a previously well 18-month-old who attended the emergency department after an unexplained cardiac arrest. After 10 cycles of CPR, resuscitation was stopped; 6 minutes later, the patient had a return of spontaneous circulation and was transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit. The patient remains alive but with significant neurological impairment. There are a variety of theories regarding the pathology of pediatric autoresuscitation. The most commonly accepted model is that there is a degree of autopositive end-expiratory pressure impending venous return as a consequence of vigorous ventilation during CPR. This case challenges clinicians to reassess our current definition of death and reaffirms the need for clearer guidelines surrounding the certification of death.
Source: Pediatric Emergency Care - Category: Emergency Medicine Tags: Illustrative Cases Source Type: research