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Etiology and prognosis of alpha coma
E J Austin1, R J Wilkus, W T Longstreth
1Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle.
Neurology
|May 1, 1988
Summary
Alpha coma, characterized by alpha rhythms in EEGs of unconscious patients, most commonly follows cardiac arrest. This EEG finding does not predict neurologic recovery outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neurophysiology
Background:
- Alpha coma is defined as the presence of alpha-frequency rhythms in the electroencephalograms (EEGs) of unconscious patients.
- The clinical significance and prognostic value of alpha coma remain subjects of investigation, particularly following cardiac arrest.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the clinical experience with alpha coma.
- To determine if alpha coma has prognostic significance in patients experiencing cardiac arrest.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 50 patients with alpha coma.
- Analysis of patient outcomes, including consciousness and mortality, following cardiac arrest.
- Literature review to compare findings with existing research.
Main Results:
- Cardiac arrest was the primary cause of unconsciousness in 49 out of 50 patients.
- Among patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, the presence of alpha frequencies in EEGs did not significantly alter the risk of death or failure to regain consciousness.
- Literature supports that alpha coma frequently follows cardiac arrest and does not inherently indicate a lack of potential for neurological recovery.
Conclusions:
- Alpha coma is a descriptive EEG finding, most commonly associated with cardiac arrest.
- The presence of alpha coma in unconscious patients does not, in itself, hold prognostic value regarding neurological recovery.