The most common situation in which a medically induced coma is used is a head injury or stroke. The idea is to reduce the oxygen requirement of the brain, thereby reducing the extent of injury and facilitating recovery. read more
That is exactly what doctors are aiming for in the case of a true medically induced coma, often using the same drugs or extreme hypothermia induced by exposure to a cold environment to halt blood flow entirely and permit surgery on the aorta. read more