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Semin Neurol 2021; 41(05): 606-618
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1733789
Review Article

Neuroprognostication after Cardiac Arrest: Who Recovers? Who Progresses to Brain Death?

Elizabeth Carroll
1   Department of Neurology, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, New York
,
Ariane Lewis
1   Department of Neurology, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, New York
2   Department of Neurosurgery, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, New York
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Abstract

Approximately 15% of deaths in developed nations are due to sudden cardiac arrest, making it the most common cause of death worldwide. Though high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation has improved overall survival rates, the majority of survivors remain comatose after return of spontaneous circulation secondary to hypoxic ischemic injury. Since the advent of targeted temperature management, neurologic recovery has improved substantially, but the majority of patients are left with neurologic deficits ranging from minor cognitive impairment to persistent coma. Of those who survive cardiac arrest, but die during their hospitalization, some progress to brain death and others die after withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment due to anticipated poor neurologic prognosis. Here, we discuss considerations neurologists must make when asked, “Given their recent cardiac arrest, how much neurologic improvement do we expect for this patient?”

Keywords

cardiac arrest - prognostication - brain death


Publication History

Article published online:
07 October 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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