The Persistent Vegetative State: The Medical Reality (Getting the Facts Straight)

Th persistent vegetative state remains a puzzle. The Karen Ann Quinlan case concerned a PVS patient. Yet more than a decade later we are still confused about what PVS is, still debating what principles should govern treatment decisions for these patients--indeed some worry about whether these patients should be considered alive at all. Ronald Cranford begins at the beginning, with the medical facts. Even among health care professionals, confusion remains about what PVS is and the difference between PVS and other neurological conditions, particularly coma.