One foot in the grave, but the beating heart. In the Czech Republic, an 88 -year -old woman, declared dead by a medical examiner, finally woke up a few hours later … in her own coffin. Today it would be still very alive.
Breaths during beer
The facts occurred last Friday, in Plzeň, a hundred kilometers from Prague. That morning, the companion of the octogenarian, failing to wake up his wife contacted the emergency services. Several resuscitation attempts are launched, without success. Nothing very mysterious for the medical examiner dispatched on the spot who then officially noted the death, and establishes his certificate. End of history? Not quite. Because at the end of the morning, while the employees of the funeral directors install the deceased in his coffin, they notice … breaths. And decide to recall the emergency services, which intervene a second time on the old lady.
“The paramedics were immediately called on the spot, took care of the woman after the funeral ceremony and transported her to the Plzeň Lochotín University Hospital. The doctors are currently fighting for her survival”reports the local press.
According to the latest data, several exams have been carried out. Despite his age and some medical history, no major health problem has been detected. It was just a false departure.
A medical error with heavy consequences
Following this event, the employer of the medical examiner, who was not enchanted by the mistake, said in Krimi plzeň ::
“”We deeply regret the situation that has occurred today (…) Following this situation, surveys are underway and appropriate staff measures have been taken. “
The case is currently making a big splash. Revisions of the procedures for control and cooperation between the services involved are also planned. A reform of the training system for doctors in charge of finding deaths is underway, with the help of non -medical specialists. The medical examiner was dismissed and risks up to three years in prison. A judicial investigation has been opened.
Lazarus syndrome, a plausible explanation
As extremely rare as it is disturbing, this type of event is not unprecedented. At the end of January 2024, in India, an 80 -year -old man woke up in the ambulance that led him to his cremation. In October 2023, a 50 -year -old Englishman declared dead by the paramedics regained consciousness at the hospital. In April 2022, a snack from Neuilly-sur-Marne, considered died by the Samu, woke up in a mortuary bag.
These cases are what doctors call the Lazarus syndromein reference to the biblical character resurrected by Jesus. In the Gospels, the latter declares that Lazarus is only “asleep”, before bringing him back to life.
A diagnostic error remains the most plausible explanation. As Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency doctor and medical director of True Medical recalled:
“The diagnosis of death is clinical, almost empirical. Indeed, there is not an additional examination, such as a radio or a blood test, to make this diagnosis. The latter rests, in practice, on a “bundle of arguments” such as the absence of pulse, breathing or electrical activity of the heart (flat electrocardiogram) “.
Errors, although very rare, can occur
“”We are very wary of deep bradycardies, which are characterized by a heart rate so low that the pulse may seem absent, drug poisoning or hypothermia, which can be wrongly concluded in death while the person is not dead “, Dr. Kierzek still underlines.
An freezing recall on complexity – and responsibility – that represents the act of seeing a death. But which gives rise to surprising stories that will remain in the memories of a proven family for a long time.