Did you know there are two types of PVS?

[Walt Starr]

There is the "Persistent Vegetative State" and then there is a "Permanent Vegetative State".

People are diagnosed in a persistent vegetative state all the time, and come out of it more times than not. These are the people the radical clerics are trotting out as examples of the potential "miracle" Terri Shiavo could experience.

Permanent vegetative states, however, are much more severe and is what Terri Shiavo is actually in, and has been for about fourteen years now. A diagnosis of permanent vegetative state is not even considered until a patient has been in a persistent vegetative state for t least a year and then a prognosis is developed with all factors taken into account.

By an accident of Florida law, only one of these two conditions was defined, the persistent vegetative state. Thus, this terminology that is thrown around is really legal terminology and not really medical terminology.

How do I know this? A family member suffered a sever brain injury and for a short time was diagnosed in a persistent vegetative state. That diagnosis did not last long.

[seventythree]

1. thanks so much

in all these weeks, this is the first time we have been told of this.

[KaliTracy]

2. a neurologist on ATC (NPR) mentioned that brain injuries (such

as trauma to brain) may have reversal of Persistent Vegitative State, but when it comes from oxygen/blood deprivation (such in the case of a heart attack), it's virtually impossible to reverse the damages...

[Warpy]

3. I've also seen a couple of coma patients misdiagnosed

as persistent vegetative state patients, so it's a tough call for any neurologist in the beginning weeks. It's generally based on the perceived level of tissue damage in the brain.

But you're right, it's not considered permanent until they're at least six months out with no improvement, or more often, a year. Generally speaking, it's confirmed by repeat CT scans showing extensive damage.

[Walt Starr]

4. It's not really a misdiagnosis

Really, it's not. I was diagnosed with Plantar's fascitis a few years back. With physical therapy and medication, I no longer had the foot pain and the diagnosis was I had healthy feet again. The diagnosis changing does not make the previous diagnosis wrong, just no longer applicable.