Patricia Ramírez González

Patricia Ramírez González, or Leida, as we Cubans know her, was the victim of a car accident on April 17, 2014. As a result of the impact, the young actress suffered multiple head traumas and other injuries that prevented her from continuing with the normal course of her life.

At the time of the accident, the young woman was filming the telenovela Cuando el amor no alcanza, written by Maité Vera and directed by Jorge Alonso Padilla. Due to this serious accident, he made the decision to use another actress to replace Patricia in the role of Leida and continue filming, given the complexity of the actress's health situation.

Patricia was born on November 8, 1990 in Placetas, Villa Clara. When she was between four and five years old, her parents moved to Sancti Spíritus, where her family currently lives. Starting in 10th grade, she began studying at the "Samuel Feijóo" Acting Academy in Villa Clara.

After graduating, she spent two years of social service in the Villa Clara Grupo Dripe, a children's theater group, and once in Havana, she began working with Toni Díaz at "Mefisto Teatro."

On television, she had appeared in Tras la huella, in the novel La otra esquina she had a small supporting role, and for almost a year she hosted a musical program on the Educational Channel. She was then selected for one of the leading roles in the novel "Cuando el amor no alcanza," which was broadcast on Cubavisión in 2015.

On the night of April 17, 2014, Patricia was taking a ride with some friends. On Avenue 31, turning onto 18th Street, a car hit the rear door of the vehicle where the young woman was traveling. She was the only one who suffered severe damage from the crash.

She was immediately treated at the International Clinic "Cira García," a health institution that was closest to the site of the incident. They provided first aid and later transferred her to Calixto García hospital in its specialized service for multiple trauma patients.

Upon admission, the examination identified severe head trauma with loss of consciousness, fracture of the left side of the pelvis, and also fracture of the right shoulder at the level of the humerus. The situation was critical, with low hemoglobin levels. An exploratory laparotomy was performed and internal bleeding from a ruptured spleen was found, which was removed and the bleeding was controlled.

Patricia was then taken to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where she remained on artificial ventilation and other necessary assistance due to her loss of consciousness. After 14 days, she underwent a tracheostomy to improve ventilation, and after 28 days she managed to wake from a coma state.

During those days in intensive care, she suffered infections, respiratory problems, pneumothorax, and blood pressure problems. The medical reports were heartbreaking, always describing her as critical. Fifty-eight days after the accident, she was transferred to the Intermediate Care Unit (UCIM), where she remained for four months.

Before arriving at the International Center for Neurological Restoration in April 2015, Patricia Ramírez was treated at several health centers in the capital, including the "Hermanos Ameijeiras" Clinical Surgical Hospital and the Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery.

During this time, she presented episodes of hydrocephalus, so she was surgically intervened on several occasions, among other complications that can appear in patients like Patricia.

At Ciren, she was evaluated by a multidisciplinary team of specialists who detected in her some other problems that needed to be resolved before focusing on neurological work, an area where this center undoubtedly has a well-deserved international reputation.

The patient arrived with a gastrostomy to enable feeding and also has a tracheostomy which, although she now breathes spontaneously, was decided to be maintained for the moment for better safety.

Taking into account the characteristics of the injuries suffered by Patricia and her current neurological condition, she is provided with a comprehensive medical care protocol according to her needs.

As a result of the severe head trauma the young woman suffered, she is in a state identified as a minimal consciousness disorder in accordance with international criteria.

Patricia does not have recognition of herself or her surroundings, but she has sufficient vitality to maintain a sleep-wake cycle and is capable of maintaining adequate breathing and digestion, although food intake must be assisted.

As part of the adaptation of the neuro-restorative treatment carried out by Ciren in the case of the young actress, the necessary medical equipment was moved, as well as consultations and direct care from specialists and nurses to her own room.

A decision was made to begin implementing a multifactorial non-intensive therapeutic program, since the patient presents several limitations for manipulation, which includes Speech Therapy, Defectology, and general physical conditioning, prioritizing permanent sensory stimulation.

"We have also incorporated into her treatment scheme non-invasive brain stimulation with direct current, performed by specialists with experience in this type of intervention. Stimuli are applied to specific areas of the brain, in this case in the left prefrontal region. Thirty sessions are planned, which have not yet been completed."

At this moment, we are engaged in a comprehensive multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary treatment that spans from the pharmacological approach, the special care of this type of patient, and direct interventions with physical therapists, defectologists, and speech therapists. Additionally, she has been treated with magnetotherapy, laser therapy, and electrostimulation.

The doctors are optimistic and explain that the evolution and response to treatment, while not entirely favorable, have also not been negative. However, their prognosis is reserved because it is still unpredictable; the results of the imposed treatment cannot yet be predicted.

Unfortunately, there is no medication today that would enable the patient to progress from one neurological state to another. The world has no recorded scientific evidence or specific practical clinical guidelines that establish how to work with this type of patient, as what is reported are merely expert experiences with small samples of cases.