An Electrocardiogram Based Diagnosis of Coma

A 48-year-old man was brought to the emergency department after being found unresponsive at home. On presentation, he had a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 3, a blood pressure of 72/48 mm Hg, a pulse of 110 beats/min, and a temperature of 38.3°C. No family members were available for collateral history, and he had no available medical record at our institution. His pupils were mildly dilated but symmetric and responsive. The remainder of the physical examination was unremarkable. He was endotracheally intubated, and resuscitation was initiated with fluids, vasopressors, and broad-spectrum antibiotics for presumed sepsis.