Topic: Scientists looking closer at what happens when body dies

[oldcoastie6468]

Scientists looking closer at what happens when body dies; edge closer to new understanding

Lee Bowman, Scripps Howard News Service
Dec 18, 2013 6 hours ago

Scientists are stretching the boundaries of understanding what happens as the body dies - and learning more about ways to perhaps interrupt the process, which takes longer than we might suppose.

Death is the final outcome for 100 percent of patients. But there's growing evidence that revival is possible for at least some patients whose hearts and lungs have stopped working for many minutes, even hours. And brain death - when the brain irreversibly ceases function -- is also proving less open and shut.

For decades, doctors have recorded cases where people immersed in very cold water have been revived after hours have gone by. Normally, brain cells start dying within a few minutes after the heart stops pumping oxygen.

Many studies have found that hypothermia protects the brain by decreasing its need for oxygen and staving off cell death. Body cooling has become common for many patients after cardiac arrest.

However, cooling more a few degrees below normal temperature can also cause cell damage.

Cardiologists are still tinkering to find the best approach. Two recent studies presented at the American Heart Association's scientific meeting in Dallas in November tried to see whether early cooling by paramedics after they get a heart restarted is helpful (it didn't seem affect survival or brain damage) or whether cooling to 91.4 degrees Fahrenheit or 96.8 degrees during the first day in the hospital brings better results (again, not much difference).

http://www.newsnet5.com/news/science-tech/scientists-looking-closer-at-what-happens-when-body-dies

[Libertas]

When is dead really dead and too late is really too late?

Reminds me of the debate over when life begins.

The medical community needs to work on its consistency and committment to life.

But, ObamaCare and eventually singel-payer will no doubt challenge that even more!

[Glock32]

Reminds of the walkers on The Walking Dead.  I have not watched the most recent episode yet (so no spoilers!) but I have always suspected that when/if the show confronts the question of what caused the outbreak, it will be something like a secretive program researching life extension that actually worked -- just in a totally, totally unexpected manner.