When a Dead Patient Is Not Really Dead: Lazarus Phenomenon

Abstract

Lazarus phenomenon refers to autoresuscitation of a patient declared dead after cessation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The Lazarus phenomenon is rarely encountered and pathophysiology is not very well understood, but physicians need to be aware of this phenomenon. It is prudent that a physician leading a CPR effort waits for some time and monitors the patient further using blood pressure and electrocardiogram before confirming that a patient is actually dead.