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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Brain Dead After Accident, Not On Life Support Machine. Tube Feeding. Chances Of Survival?

my sister in law has been in a car accident and as result we have been told she is brain dead and no chance of recovery, she has been taken off the life support machine and now breathing on her own. they are putting a tube in her stomach so she can be fed thru that at home. how long could she survive? i thought brain dead meant she would die with out support?
Mon, 21 Oct 2013
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello there!
brain dead is a broad term. a person can not survive if the brain stem is damaged irreversibly. if its the cortex or above portions then concerned functions are lost. and yes the prognosis is bad. Low glasgow coma scales with history of traumas and delayed recovery decrease the odds of survival. conditions will deteriorate. but miracles can happen. never lose hope. keep serving your sister. and hope for the best and get prepared for the worst
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Brain Dead After Accident, Not On Life Support Machine. Tube Feeding. Chances Of Survival?

Hello there! brain dead is a broad term. a person can not survive if the brain stem is damaged irreversibly. if its the cortex or above portions then concerned functions are lost. and yes the prognosis is bad. Low glasgow coma scales with history of traumas and delayed recovery decrease the odds of survival. conditions will deteriorate. but miracles can happen. never lose hope. keep serving your sister. and hope for the best and get prepared for the worst