Hi,

Based on your query, I want to say that generally, coma is not induced for heart attacks. Whether your friend had a cardiac arrest (where the heart beats stop for some time) and was revived. I think this must be the case.

Here, the chances of brain recovery depends on the duration for which heart was not beating, until it was revived with resuscitation. Anything more than five minutes results in significant brain damage.

The exact damage can be assessed with tests such as EEG and evoked potential studies. Clinical examination by a neurologist can also help in that.

Seizures are common in this condition.

Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Senior Consultant Neurologist

Hi,
many circumstances can lead to seizures i comatose patients depending on the cause of the coma. In this case with a past history of myocardial infarction, this is a risk factor for formation of clots or emboli. These could move to the brain, cause focal neurologic manifestations in affected areas like stroke. Secondly, in comatose patients, high temperatures , low blood glucose or hypoglycemia could easily lead to seizures. Electrolyte abnormalities in these comatose patients too could lead to these seizures. Reason why in these patients, a keen supervision of body temperature, blood glucose and electrolyte levels, electrolyte disturbances many times a day are usually done.
Depending on the frequency of these seizures, this could lead to permanent brain damage. The more frequent they are, the greater the risk of having permanent brain damage, reason why monitoring and prompt treatment of the seizures is important.
Thanks and best regards as I hope this helps,
Best regards,
Luchuo, MD.