Significance of physical findings in coma following cardiac arrest

Patients with virtually no chance of regaining independence
Initial examination	No pupillary light reflex
One day	Motor response no better than flexor and spontaneous eye movements neither orienting nor roving conjugate
Three days	Motor response no better than flexor, no spontaneous eye opening
One week	Motor response not obeying commands and spontaneous eye movements neither orienting nor roving conjugate
Two weeks	Oculocephalic response not normal, not obeying commands, no spontaneous eye opening, eye opening not improved at least 2 grades from initial examination
Patients with best chance of regaining independence
Initial examination	Pupillary light reflexes present and motor response flexor or extensor. Spontaneous eye movements roving conjugate or orienting.
One day	Motor response withdrawal or better and eye opening improved at least 2 grades
Three day	Motor response withdrawal or better and spontaneous eye movements normal
One week	Motor response obeying commands
Two weeks	Normal oculocephalic response

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