Transition from alpha to theta pattern coma in fatal cerebral anoxia.

A transition of alpha to theta pattern coma is documented in a case of fatal cerebral anoxia after a cardiac arrest. The patient was a 35-year-old woman who suffered a cardiac arrest due to myocardial ischaemia and ventricular tachycardia. Altogether 6 EEGs showing progressive deterioration were performed during the 11 days of survival. There was histopathological evidence of extensive ischaemic damage involving cerebral and cerebellar cortex, basal ganglia and brainstem structures. Although closed chest cardiopulmonary resuscitation was begun with minimal delay after cardiac arrest, the outcome may reflect the increasingly documented failure of this type of resuscitation to provide adequate organ perfusion during cardiac arrest.