The human brain requires a constant flow of oxygen, which is necessary for the transmission of electrochemical impulses between cells and for neurons to receive and respond to these signals. When the human brain is deprived of oxygen, even for a few minutes, the consequences can be severe and may include catastrophic and permanent brain damage and life-altering injuries.

If you or someone you love experienced a hypoxic brain injury due to an anesthesia error, an experienced medical malpractice attorney can help you understand how and why these injuries occurred and explain your options to help you move forward. The attorneys at Robenalt Law have decades of experience representing individuals who were catastrophically injured because of medical negligence.

What Is the Difference Between Hypoxic and Anoxic Brain Injuries?

Total or even partial oxygen deprivation can cause catastrophic, permanent, and life-altering injuries. Unlike other organs, which can recover from brief oxygen deprivation, brain cells begin to die within minutes of being deprived of oxygen. The severity and extent of the injury depends on how long the brain goes without oxygen and which areas are affected.

While often discussed together, hypoxic and anoxic brain injuries represent different levels of oxygen deprivation.

• A hypoxic brain injury occurs when the brain receives some oxygen, but not enough to function properly.
• An anoxic brain injury is more severe and occurs when the brain receives no oxygen at all.

While both conditions cause significant brain damage, anoxic brain injuries are typically more severe because the total lack of oxygen causes the brain cells to die even more quickly and extensively. The critical factor in both cases is the amount of time the brain goes without oxygen.

How Long Can the Brain Go Without Oxygen Before Damage?

Oxygen deprivation quickly causes severe and permanent brain damage. The timeline for brain damage due to a hypoxic or anoxic brain injury is measured in minutes.

• 1 to 3 minutes. Brain damage begins to set in but may be reversible with immediate intervention.
• 4 to 6 minutes. Brain cells begin to die and the risk of permanent brain damage increases. This is often considered the critical threshold.
• 6 to 10 minutes. Severe and permanent brain damage is likely. The longer and more extensive the oxygen deprivation, the more severe the damage.
• 10 minutes or more. The likelihood of survival decreases significantly. If the individual does survive, they will almost certainly have irreversible brain damage and may remain in a persistent vegetative state.

While these timeframes provide a general guideline, the specific circumstances and whether the oxygen deprivation is partial (hypoxic) or total (anoxic) will affect the severity of the brain injury.

Does Anesthesia Cause Brain Damage?

The drugs used in general anesthesia are strong sedatives that cause breathing to slow, reduce blood pressure, induce unconsciousness, and suppress other reflexes. Because anesthesia causes low blood pressure, it can reduce blood flow to the brain. Likewise, an allergic reaction to anesthesia that causes anaphylaxis can lead to hypoxia, hypotension, and reduced blood flow to the brain. When serious complications from general anesthesia occur, they are almost always a result of medical negligence.

Anesthesiologists have a duty to closely monitor the patient’s breathing and vital signs and to intervene quickly to address problems. When serious complications arise, they are often the result of problems with oxygen delivery or an adverse drug reaction that can lead to an airway obstruction.

How Can an Attorney Help with a Hypoxic Brain Injury Claim?

A patient undergoing surgery under general anesthesia places tremendous trust in the medical team, including the anesthesiologist. When administered properly, anesthesia allows patients to undergo medical procedures without pain or awareness. But when administered incorrectly, these highly effective drugs can cause catastrophic injuries that have life-altering consequences.

If you or a loved one experienced a hypoxic or anoxic brain injury during surgery, contact the medical malpractice attorneys at Robenalt Law today. We can investigate the cause of the injuries and fight for the compensation you and your family deserve.

Contact Robenalt Law Today

Robenalt Law has offices in Cleveland and Columbus, and handles medical malpractice claims throughout Ohio and nationwide. Call our Cleveland office at (216) 223-7535 or our Columbus office at (614) 695-3800 or contact us online to schedule a free, confidential, no-obligation appointment to discuss your situation and how we can help.