However, the probability of this happening remains quite low and a vast majority of patients pronounced dead actually stay dead. Undoubtedly, the occurrence of the Lazarus syndrome puts into question the ability of doctors to declare a patient dead. The case in which blood potassium is abnormally high, hyperkalemia has also been given as a possible cause. Theoretically, problems in the venous circulation may cause a delay in drug action. Bamforth-Lazarus Syndrome is a very rare syndrome of congenital hypothyroidism characterized by thyroid dysgenesis (in most cases athyreosis), cleft palate and spiky hair, with or without choanal atresia, and bifid epiglottis. Research suggests the possibility that the prior build-up of pressure during CPR may be responsible.Īnother likely reason is the delayed onset of action of the drugs used in resuscitation, such as adrenaline. You probably already guessed that there’s more to this that’s unknown than understood. Simply put, heart activity suddenly returns after it previously ended and efforts to restart the heart failed. It refers to a delayed return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after CPR has ceased. Lazarus syndrome, more formally known as 'auto-resuscitation after failed cardiopulmonary resuscitation,' is a recognized medical phenomenon where a patient is pronounced dead after all vital sign have to ceased only to suddenly come back to life. Issues about professionalism and medical litigation may be responsible for low reporting. Almost 30 mins after (and 10 mins after resuscitation efforts had ceased), his surgeon felt a pulse and surgery continued to successful completion.įor all we know, the Lazarus syndrome probably happens more often than it is reported. Way back in 2001, a man had a cardiac arrest while undergoing surgery. Lazarus syndrome, also known as autoresuscitation after failed cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is the spontaneous return of a normal cardiac rhythm after fa. Of course, he was already declared dead or why would he be in a body bag? There’s hardly a better way to start this discussion than with some examples of the Lazarus syndrome manifesting for all to see.īack in 2014, the Guardian reported the case of a man who woke up in a body bag deposited at the morgue. Paul DiAnno (5,489 words) case mismatch in snippet view article find links to article announced that the band would regroup and release a new album entitled The Lazarus Syndrome. Interesting, right? Scary too, even if just a little? It is what it is. The Lazarus Syndrome: Burial Alive and the Horrors of the Undead (New York: Barnes and Noble. Yes, medicine does have a few documented cases of supposedly dead people coming back to life after some time has passed. This sounds more like the subject matter of some horror thriller but the evidence says otherwise.