What are the chances of surviving an anoxic brain injury?

Anoxic brain injuries are caused by a complete lack of oxygen to the brain, which causes brain cells to die after about four minutes of oxygen deprivation.

Anoxic brain injuries frequently result in an initial loss of consciousness, which can be temporary or permanent depending on the severity and duration of oxygen deprivation.

A comatose state may result from the initial loss of consciousness. Other symptoms of anoxic brain injury include slurring and difficulty speaking, confusion and disorientation, and facial drooping.

What are the chances of surviving an anoxic brain injury?

Although complete recovery from severe anoxic brain injury is uncommon, many patients with mild anoxic brain injuries can make a full or partial recovery.

Severe anoxic brain injury is frequently fatal. In cases where the injury is so severe that there is no chance of recovery, doctors may issue orders that the patient not be resuscitated if further complications arise, such as cardiac arrest.