The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of coma among patients in critical care units in Chile. We also aimed to provide insight into the demographic characteristics, etiologies, and complications associated with coma.

A single day cross-sectional study was conducted through a national survey of public and private hospitals with critical and intensive cardiac care units across Chile. Data were collected using an online questionnaire that contained questions regarding critically ill patients’ information, demographic characteristics, etiology and duration of coma, medical complications, and support requirements.

A total of 84% of all health facilities answered, accounting for a total of 2,708 patients. The overall coma prevalence was 2.9%. The median age of the comatose patients was 61 years (interquartile range 50–72) and 66.2% were male. The median coma duration was five days (interquartile range 2–9). Cerebral hemorrhage was the most common etiology, followed by severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, acute ischemic stroke, and traumatic brain injury. A total of 48.1% of coma patients experienced acute and ongoing treatment complications, with pneumonia being the most common complication, and 97.4% required support during comatose management.

This study provides an overview of the prevalence of coma in Chilean critical and cardiac care units. Coma is a common condition. Comatose patients frequently experience medical complications during their hospitalization.