Irreversible coma is a state of unconsciousness characterized by having a beating heart with an irreversibly damaged brain. Specifically, the patient: is unreceptive, unresponsive, not moving, not independently breathing, has no reflexes, and has a flat electroencephalogram. This condition, which is sometimes referred to as “brain death”, can be determined only by a physician. The causes may include cardiac arrest, significant brain damage, respiratory failure, severe liver disease, extreme kidney condition, and intracranial lesions.