A persistent vegetative state (PVS) is a condition of patients with severe brain damage in whom coma has progressed to a state of wakefulness without detectable awareness.

Coma and Persistent Vegetative State information sheet compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

Definition. A coma-like state characterized by open eyes and the appearance of wakefulness is defined as vegetative. Description. The vegetative state is a chronic or long-term ...

A coma is a deep state of unconsciousness. It may occur as a complication of an underlying illness, or as a result of an event such as head trauma.

persistent vegetative state: see under coma persistent vegetative state was coined in 1972 to describe an unconscious state in which sleep and wake cycles remain and eyes may open ...