Ventilatory support

[Miki915]

Hello,  My father was recently in a car accident (85 years old). The air bag hit him, cracking his sternum and 3 ribs. He spent a few days in IMCU then was discharged home...he was only home for 2 days, when he suffered a pulmonary embolism. Now, he is in ICU (day 8)..on a ventilator, he has mild renal insufficiency, some cardiac disease ... they have taken away the IV heparin drip and placed him on baby aspirin, he is getting his metoprolol, amiodarone for his occasional a-fib and tachycardia. My father is a very thin man (142 lbs), previously he was getting sedation since he is on a ventilator (Precedex). My question is; they have taken my father off the Precedex..it has been over 20 hours...but he is not waking up. He responds to pain by shaking his head and opening his eyes slightly..his pupils are stil reactive.  Why is my father not waking up?  

[CHIN_C]

Sounds like your father has been through a lot recently. Without knowing all the clinical details, it is difficult to know why your father is not waking up. Consider reaching out to the ICU team to get a status update. It may help to designate a point person in your family so they do not have to repeat information every time another family member visits. Good luck!