Lazarus Syndrome

Fascinating. [Link]

A man came back to life – like the Biblical Lazarus – half an hour after doctors told his family he had died.

Michael Wilkinson, 23, ‘died’ in hospital of a previously undiagnosed heart condition after his mother found him collapsed in bed.

Doctors failed to revive the roofer and pronounced him dead, and he was given the last rites.

But 30 minutes later medics found a pulse and told relatives he was actually alive.

Mr Wilkinson, from Preston, was transferred to the intensive care unit at Royal Preston Hospital in Lancashire where he survived for two days following an emergency operation. He then died on February 3rd this year.

An inquest heard that his return to life was known as Lazarus syndrome – the spontaneous return of circulation after attempts to resuscitate fail. There have only ever been 38 cases recorded worldwide.

From Wikipedia. [Link]

Lazarus syndrome is the spontaneous return of circulation after failed attempts at resuscitation.^[1] Its occurrence has been noted in medical literature at least 25 times since 1982.^[2] Also called Lazarus phenomenon, it takes its name from the biblical story of Lazarus, who was raised from the dead by Jesus.^[3]

Occurrences of the syndrome are rare and the causes are not well understood. One theory for the phenomenon is that a chief factor (though not the only one) is the buildup of pressure in the chest as a result of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The relaxation of pressure after resuscitation efforts have ended is thought to allow the heart to expand, triggering the heart's electrical impulses and restarting the heartbeat.^[1] Other possible factors are hyperkalaemia or high doses of adrenaline.^[3]

How many come back with a craving for Braaaiiinnnsss!