Should We Prolong the Observation Period for Neurological Recovery After Cardiac Arrest?

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether the recommended observation period of 7 days for cardiac arrest survivors is sufficient for conscious recovery and to identify the variables associated with eventual neurologic recovery among patients with delayed awakening. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. SETTING: A single tertiary medical center. PATIENTS: Five-hundred twenty-nine nontraumatic adult cardiac arrest survivors with prearrest favorable neurologic function (Cerebral Performance Category 1-2) who survived to hospital discharge during 2011-2019. INTERVENTIONS: The enrolled patients were classified into favorable (Cerebral Performance Category 1-2) and poor (Cerebral Performance Category 3-4) neurologic recovery according to their neurologic function at hospital discharge. Among patients with favorable neurologic recovery, those who recovered within 7 days were assigned to the early recovery group or after 7 days as the late recovery group. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: There were 395 patients exhibiting favorable neurologic recovery (n = 357 in the early group, n = 38 in late group) and 134 patients exhibiting poor neurologic recovery (poor recovery group). Among patients who remained unconscious on day 7, delayed awakening was associated with male sex (odds ratio [OR], 3.905; 95% CI, 1.153-13.221), prehospital return of spontaneous circulation (OR, 7.628; 95% CI, 2.084-27.922), therapeutic hypothermia (OR, 4.320; 95% CI, 1.624-11.488), and extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (OR, 4.508; 95% CI, 1.414-14.371). Being transferred from another hospital, however, was less likely to be associated with delayed awakening (OR, 0.061; 95% CI, 0.009-0.431). The median duration for patients to regain clear consciousness in the late recovery group was 12.12 days. No patient who recovered consciousness had an unfavorable electroencephalography pattern, however, in patients with poor recovery, the 7-day electroencephalography showed 45 patients with generalized suppression (33.6%), two with burst suppression (1.5%), 14 with seizure/epileptic discharge (10.5%), and one with status epilepticus (0.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Up to 9.6% of cardiac arrest patients with favorable outcomes recover consciousness after the recommended 7 days of observation, indicating the observation time of 7 days seems justified but longer duration may be needed. The results of the culturally and clinically isolated population may limit the application to other population.

Preclinical neurorehabilitation with environmental enrichment confers cognitive and histological benefits in a model of pediatric asphyxial cardiac arrest.

Pediatric asphyxial cardiac arrest (ACA) often leaves children with physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities that affect overall quality of life, yet rehabilitation is neither routinely nor systematically provided. Environmental enrichment (EE) is considered a preclinical model of neurorehabilitation and thus we sought to investigate its efficacy in our established model of pediatric ACA. Male Sprague-Dawley rat pups (post-natal day 16-18) were randomly assigned to ACA (9.5 min) or Sham injury. After resuscitation, the rats were assigned to 21 days of EE or standard (STD) housing during which time motor, cognitive, and anxiety-like (i.e., affective) outcomes were assessed. Hippocampal CA1 cells were quantified on post-operative day-22. Both ACA + STD and ACA + EE performed worse on beam-balance vs. Sham controls (p < 0.05) and did not differ from one another overall (p > 0.05); however, a single day analysis on the last day of testing revealed that the ACA + EE group performed better than the ACA + STD group (p < 0.05) and did not differ from the Sham controls (p > 0.05). Both Sham groups performed better than ACA + STD (p < 0.05) but did not differ from ACA + EE (p > 0.05) in the open field test. Spatial learning and declarative memory were improved and CA1 neuronal loss was attenuated in the ACA + EE vs. ACA + STD group (p < 0.05). Collectively, the data suggest that providing rehabilitation after pediatric ACA can reduce histopathology and improve motor and cognitive ability.

Parada cardiorrespiratória na pandemia por coronavírus: revisão compreensiva da literatura / Cardiorespiratory arrest in a coronavirus pandemic: comprehensive literature review / Paro cardiorrespiratorio en una pandemia de coronavirus: revisión exhaustiva de la literatura

Objetivo: apresentar atualizações para a ressuscitação cardiopulmonar em pacientes suspeitos e confirmados com COVID-19. Método: revisão compreensiva da literatura, com síntese narrativa das evidências de diretrizes e recomendações da Organização Mundial de Saúde, Associação de Medicina Intensiva Brasileira, American Heart Association, Resuscitation Council UK, American College of Surgions Committee on Trauma e National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians. Resultados: as principais atualizações trazem informações sobre especificidades das manobras de ressuscitação cardiopulmonar; preparação do ambiente, recursos humanos e materiais, reconhecimento da parada cardiorrespiratória e ações iniciais; estratégias de ventilação e acesso invasivo da via aérea; ajustes do ventilador mecânico e manobras de ressuscitação cardiopulmonar em pacientes pronados. Considerações finais: profissionais de saúde envolvidos no atendimento à parada cardiorrespiratória de pacientes suspeitos e/ou confirmados com COVID-19 podem encontrar inúmeros desafios, portanto devem seguir com rigor o protocolo estabelecido para maximizar a efetividade das manobras de ressuscitação e minimizar o risco de contágio pelo vírus e sua disseminação.

Objective: to present updates for cardiopulmonary resuscitation in suspected and confirmed patients with COVID-19. Method: comprehensive literature review with narrative synthesis of the evidence of guidelines and recommendations from World Health Organization, Associação de Medicina Intensiva Brasileira, American Heart Association, Resuscitation Council UK, American College of Surgions Committee on Trauma and National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians. Results: the main updates bring information about the specifics of cardiopulmonary resuscitation maneuvers; preparation of the environment and human and material resources, recognition of cardiorespiratory arrest and initial actions; ventilation and invasive airway access strategies; mechanical ventilator adjustments and cardiopulmonary resuscitation maneuvers in patients in the prone position. Final considerations: health professionals involved in the care of cardiorespiratory arrest of suspected and/or confirmed patients with COVID-19 can face numerous challenges, so they must strictly follow the protocol established to maximize the effectiveness of resuscitation maneuvers and minimize the risk of contagion by the virus and its spread.

Objetivo: apresentar actualizaciones para la reanimación cardiopulmonar en pacientes sospechos os y confirmados con COVID-19. Método: revisión exhaustiva de la literatura con síntesis narrativa de la evidencia de guías y recomendaciones de la Organización Mundial de la Salud, Associação de Medicina Intensiva Brasileira, American Heart Association, Resuscitation Council UK, American College of Surgions Committee on Trauma and National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians. Resultados: las principales actualizaciones aportan información sobre los detalles de las maniobras de reanimación cardiopulmonar; preparación del medio ambiente y recursos humanos y materiales, reconocimiento de paro cardiorrespiratorio y acciones iniciales; estrategias de ventilación y acceso invasivo a las vías aéreas; ajustes del ventilador mecánico y maniobras de reanimación cardiopulmonar en pacientes en decúbito prono. Consideraciones finales: los profesionales de la salud involucrados en la atención del paro cardiorrespiratorio de pacientes sospechosos y/o confirmados con COVID-19 pueden enfrentar numerosos desafíos, por lo que deben seguir estrictamente el protocolo establecido para maximizar la efectividad de las maniobras de reanimación y minimizar el riesgo de contagio por el virus y supropagación.

Desafios no manejo da parada cardiorrespiratória durante a pandemia da COVID-19: um estudo de reflexão / Challenges in the management of cardiopulmonary arrest during the COVID-19 pandemic: a reflection study / Desafíos en el manejo del paro cardiorrespiratorio durante la pandemia de COVID-19: un estudio de reflexión

Introdução: Com o início da pandemia, inquietações quanto à condução da parada cardiorrespiratória em casos suspeitos e confirmados da COVID-19 surgiram ante as peculiaridades e publicações científicas quanto à temática. Dessa forma, o presente estudo apresenta uma reflexão e demonstra as novas recomendações acerca dos cuidados necessários a serem adotados pela equipe multiprofissional. Método: Trata-se de um estudo de reflexão teórica, de caráter descritivo e abordagem qualitativa com base em documentos convencionais e não convencionais emitidos pelos principais órgãos reguladores e revistas de grande impacto que abordam as temáticas discorridas. Além disso, não houve recorte temporal para a seleção do referencial bibliográfico. Resultados: Os resultados expostos abordaram o cuidado relacionado com os recursos humanos e materiais envolvendo a temática, o manejo da via aérea nesse evento em pacientes que estavam ou não em uso de intubação endotraqueal, assim como em relação aos indivíduos em posição prona. Conclusão e implicações para a prática: Diante das discussões apresentadas, é evidente a necessidade de atualização por parte das instituições de saúde em suas rotinas e dos profissionais que se encontram neste estudo como mecanismo de proteção e manutenção da qualidade do cuidado prestado

Introduction: With the onset of the pandemic, concerns emerged about the management of cardiorespiratory arrest in suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 considering its singularities and scientific publications on the subject. Thus, this study presents a reflection about the new recommendations for patient care that must be adopted by multiprofessional teams. Method: This is a theoretical qualitative descriptive study that analyzed conventional and unconventional documents issued by the main regulatory bodies and high impact magazines addressing the study topics. No time frame was considered when selecting the bibliographic references. Results: The results addressed patient care with human and material resources involving the theme, the airway management in patients affected by COVID-19, whether they were using endotracheal intubation or not, and the approach for individuals in prone position. Conclusion and implications for the practice: In view of the discussions presented, health institutions and professionals must update their routines as a mechanism to protect and maintain the quality of care provided

Introducción: Con el inicio de la pandemia, preocupaciones sobre la conducción del paro cardiorrespiratorio en casos sospechosos y confirmados de COVID-19 ante las peculiaridades y publicaciones científicas sobre el tema. Así pues, este estudio presenta una reflexión y demuestra las nuevas recomendaciones sobre los cuidados que deben adoptarse por el equipo. Método: Se trata de un estudio de reflexión teórica, de carácter descriptivo y enfoque cualitativo, basado em documentos convencionales y no convencionales emitidos por los principales organismos reguladores y revistas de alto impacto que abordan los temas tratados. Además, no hubo un recorte temporal para la selección de la referencia bibliográfica. Resultados: Los resultados expuestos abordaron el cuidado relacionado con los recursos humanos y materiales involucrando la temática, el manejo de la vía aérea en este evento, en pacientes que usaban o no intubación endotraqueal, como también en relación de individuos en posición prona. Conclusión e implicaciones para la práctica: Ante las discusiones presentadas, es evidente la necesidad de actualización por las instituciones de salud en sus rutinas y de los profesionales que se encuentran en este estudio, como mecanismo de protección y mantenimiento de la calidad del cuidado ministrado

Reanimación cardiopulmonar en pacientes con coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 en posiciones supino y prono / Cardiopulmonary resuscitation in coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 patients in supine and prone positions

During this Pandemic it has been reported that 5% of cases require an Intensive Care Unit. Certain patients who present hypoxemia, acidosis, electrolyte disorders or adverse effects of drugs such as hydroxychloroquine, may end up in Cardiac Arrest. In these patients, it is recommended to provide high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation with all biosecurity measures. What should be done in the event of sudden cardiac arrest? The ethical obligation of health personnel is to resuscitate, but with the responsibility of personal protection, that is, with the precept of the rescuer's safety first. The purpose of this article is to review the protocol on the behavior recommended in the care of patients suffering from cardiac arrest in an environment with a Covid pandemic 19, such as that experienced by the world community today. For care and management protocol, AHA, UK and ILCOR guidelines, as well as publications on prone cardiopulmonary resuscitation, will be considered.

Durante esta Pandemia se ha comunicado que un 5% de los casos requieren de Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos. Determinados pacientes que presentan hipoxemia, acidosis, trastornos electrolíticos o efectos adversos de fármacos como la hidroxicloroquina, pueden terminar en paro cardíaco. En estos pacientes se recomienda proporcionar una reanimación cardiopulmonar de alta calidad con todas las medidas de bioseguridad. ¿Qué se debe hacer frente al caso de un paro cardíaco súbito? La obligación ética del personal de salud es reanimar, pero con la responsabilidad de protección personal, es decir, con el precepto de primero la seguridad del reanimador. El propósito del presente artículo es revisar el protocolo sobre la conducta que se recomienda en la atención del paciente que sufre paro cardíaco en un ambiente con pandemia de Covid-19, como la que vive la comunidad mundial en la actualidad. Para la atención y protocolo de manejo, se tendrán en cuenta las guías de la AHA, del Reino Unido y de la ILCOR, así como las publicaciones de reanimación cardiopulmonar en posición prona.

In Hospitals With More Nurses Who Have Baccalaureate Degrees, Better Outcomes For Patients After Cardiac Arrest.

In 2010, prompted by compelling evidence that demonstrated better patient outcomes in hospitals with higher percentages of nurses with a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), the Institute of Medicine recommended that 80 percent of the nurse workforce be qualified at that level or higher by 2020. Using data from the American Heart Association's Get With the Guidelines-Resuscitation registry (for 2013-18), RN4CAST-US hospital nurse surveys (2015-16), and the American Hospital Association (2015), we found that each 10-percentage-point increase in the hospital share of nurses with a BSN was associated with 24 percent greater odds of surviving to discharge with good cerebral performance among patients who experienced in-hospital cardiac arrest. Lower patient-to-nurse ratios on general medical and surgical units were also associated with significantly greater odds of surviving with good cerebral performance. These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence that supports policies to increase access to baccalaureate-level education and improve hospital nurse staffing.

Pediatric Post-Cardiac Arrest Care: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.

Successful resuscitation from cardiac arrest results in a post-cardiac arrest syndrome, which can evolve in the days to weeks after return of sustained circulation. The components of post-cardiac arrest syndrome are brain injury, myocardial dysfunction, systemic ischemia/reperfusion response, and persistent precipitating pathophysiology. Pediatric post-cardiac arrest care focuses on anticipating, identifying, and treating this complex physiology to improve survival and neurological outcomes. This scientific statement on post-cardiac arrest care is the result of a consensus process that included pediatric and adult emergency medicine, critical care, cardiac critical care, cardiology, neurology, and nursing specialists who analyzed the past 20 years of pediatric cardiac arrest, adult cardiac arrest, and pediatric critical illness peer-reviewed published literature. The statement summarizes the epidemiology, pathophysiology, management, and prognostication after return of sustained circulation after cardiac arrest, and it provides consensus on the current evidence supporting elements of pediatric post-cardiac arrest care.

Association of extracerebral organ failure with 1-year survival and healthcare-associated costs after cardiac arrest: an observational database study.

BACKGROUND: Organ dysfunction is common after cardiac arrest and associated with worse short-term outcome, but its impact on long-term outcome and treatment costs is unknown. METHODS: We used nationwide registry data from the intensive care units (ICU) of the five Finnish university hospitals to evaluate the association of 24-h extracerebral Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (24h-EC-SOFA) score with 1-year survival and healthcare-associated costs after cardiac arrest. We included adult cardiac arrest patients treated in the participating ICUs between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2013. We acquired the confirmed date of death from the Finnish Population Register Centre database and gross 1-year healthcare-associated costs from the hospital billing records and the database of the Finnish Social Insurance Institution. RESULTS: A total of 5814 patients were included in the study, and 2401 were alive 1 year after cardiac arrest. Median (interquartile range (IQR)) 24h-EC-SOFA score was 6 (5-8) in 1-year survivors and 7 (5-10) in non-survivors. In multivariate regression analysis, adjusting for age and prior independency in self-care, the 24h-EC-SOFA score had an odds ratio (OR) of 1.16 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14-1.18) per point for 1-year mortality. Median (IQR) healthcare-associated costs in the year after cardiac arrest were €47,000 (€28,000-75,000) in 1-year survivors and €12,000 (€6600-25,000) in non-survivors. In a multivariate linear regression model adjusting for age and prior independency in self-care, an increase of one point in the 24h-EC-SOFA score was associated with an increase of €170 (95% CI €150-190) in the cost per day alive in the year after cardiac arrest. In the same model, an increase of one point in the 24h-EC-SOFA score was associated with an increase of €4400 (95% CI €3300-5500) in the total healthcare-associated costs in 1-year survivors. CONCLUSIONS: Extracerebral organ dysfunction is associated with long-term outcome and gross healthcare-associated costs of ICU-treated cardiac arrest patients. It should be considered when assessing interventions to improve outcomes and optimize the use of resources in these patients.

Effects of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health events on work and earnings: a population-based retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Survivors of acute health events can experience lasting reductions in functional status and quality of life, as well as reduced ability to work and earn income. We aimed to assess the effect of acute myocardial infarction (MI), cardiac arrest and stroke on work and earning among working-age people. METHODS: For this retrospective cohort study, we used the Canadian Hospitalization and Taxation Database, which contains linked hospital and income tax data, from 2005 to 2013 to perform difference-in-difference analyses. We matched patients admitted to hospital for acute MI, cardiac arrest or stroke with controls who were not admitted to hospital for these indications. Participants were aged 40-61 years, worked in the 2 years before the event and were alive 3 years after the event. Patients were matched to controls for 11 variables. The primary outcome was working status 3 years postevent. We also assessed earnings change attributable to the event. We matched 19 129 particpants who were admitted to hospital with acute MI, 1043 with cardiac arrest and 4395 with stroke to 1 820 644, 307 375 and 888 481 controls, respectively. RESULTS: Fewer of the patients who were admitted to hospital were working 3 years postevent than controls for acute MI (by 5.0 percentage points [pp], 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.5-5.5), cardiac arrest (by 12.9 pp, 95% CI 10.4-15.3) and stroke (by 19.8 pp, 95% CI 18.5-23.5). Mean (95% CI) earnings declines attributable to the events were $3834 (95% CI 3346-4323) for acute MI, $11 143 (95% CI 8962-13 324) for cardiac arrest, and $13 278 (95% CI 12 301-14 255) for stroke. The effects on income were greater for patients who had lower baseline earnings, comorbid disease, longer hospital length of stay or needed mechanical ventilation. Sex, marital status or self-employment status did not affect income declines. INTERPRETATION: Acute MI, cardiac arrest and stroke all resulted in substantial loss in employment and earnings that persisted for at least 3 years after the events. These outcomes have consequences for patients, families, employers and governments. Identification of subgroups at high risk for these losses may assist in targeting interventions, policies and legislation to promote return to work.

The impact of psychological distress on long-term recovery perceptions in survivors of cardiac arrest.

PURPOSE: To determine the association of depressive and PTSD symptoms with cardiac arrest survivors' long-term recovery perceptions, after accounting for cognitive status, functional independence, and medical comorbidities. METHODS: Perceived recovery of 78 cardiac arrest survivors at 6-months post-hospital discharge was assessed through the question, "Do you feel that you have made a complete recovery from your arrest?" Psychological symptoms were measured using the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale (CES-D) and the PTSD Checklist-Specific (PCLS). Logistic regression was utilized to assess the association between psychological symptoms with positive and negative recovery perceptions, adjusting for demographics, cognitive impairment, functional dependence, and medical comorbidities. RESULTS: At 6 months, 53% of patients (n = 41) had negative recovery perceptions. 32.1% (n = 25) of patients screened for depression and 28.2% (n = 22) for PTSD. Patients with higher CES-D scores were significantly more likely to have negative recovery perceptions in both unadjusted and adjusted analyses (OR: 1.10, 95% CI [1.03, 1.16], p < .01). PCL-S scores were significantly associated with negative recovery perceptions in an unadjusted model (OR: 1.05, 95% CI [1.01, 1.10], p < .01), but not after adjustment of covariates. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast with cognitive and functional measures, depressive symptoms were strongly associated with cardiac arrest survivors' negative recovery perceptions at 6-months post-discharge.

A Systematic Review of Exercise Training in Patients With Cardiac Implantable Devices.

PURPOSE: This systematic review identified exercise-based intervention studies in patients with cardiac implantable devices (CIDs): implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), cardiac resynchronization pacemaker or defibrillator (cardiac resynchronization therapy [CRT]), or ventricular assist device (VAD) and assessed evidence for the safety and efficacy of exercise-based interventions alone or in combination with psychoeducational components. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL Plus, Web of Science, Cochrane, and PEDro databases were searched from database inception to September 2016. Data were extracted and validity was assessed by 2 reviewers. Study quality was evaluated using the JADAD scale for randomized controlled trials. A total of 3991 articles for all CIDs (ICD: 1015; pacemaker: 1630; and VAD: 1346) were screened for relevance. Subsequently, 24 full-text articles (ICD: 14; CRT: 4; and VAD: 6) were deemed eligible for this review. RESULTS: Studies of aerobic exercise training demonstrated an average increase in peak oxygen uptake of 2.61 mL/kg/min, (ICD = 2.43, VAD = 2.2, and CRT = 3.2 mL/kg/min). These incremental increases were statistically significant when compared with the usual care or other comparison groups. Adverse event rates were very low at 1.1% to 2.2% for all CIDs. CONCLUSION: Exercise interventions tested to date in the CID population (ICD, CRT, and VAD) indicate that exercise training at moderate to high intensity is safe and effective in improving cardiopulmonary outcomes without adverse events. Future investigations should include a more diverse sample of participants, designs that include translation of exercise to routine practice, the destination therapy VAD population, and measurement of costs and patient-centered outcomes.

Costs related to cardiac arrest management: a systematic review protocol.

BACKGROUND: Each year, about 500,000 people suffer a cardiac arrest (either out-of-hospital or in-hospital) in the USA. Although significant improvements in survival have occurred through the implementation of complex high-quality protocols of care, global costs related to such management are not clearly described. METHODS: We will undertake a systematic review of the published literature on costs related to the acute phase of cardiac arrest management (from collapse to hospital discharge). The search will cover the period 1991 to present, and we will include studies written in English or in French involving patients with cardiac arrest of all ages, settings (in- and out-of-hospital arrest), countries, and etiology (including traumatic). The primary outcome will include estimates of costs related to cardiac arrest patients' management in various categories (e.g., resuscitation process, in-hospital management as well as rehabilitation and long-term care facilities) and perspectives (e.g., hospital, societal, or third-payer perspective). Study selection will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, and data quality will be assessed by questions adapted from the Drummond economic evaluation checklist. DISCUSSION: This review will provide an estimate of costs related to cardiac arrest management according to the different components of such a management as well as total costs. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews PROSPERO CRD42016046993.

Long-term Outcome After Survival of a Cardiac Arrest: A Prospective Longitudinal Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: A cardiac arrest can lead to hypoxic brain injury, which can affect all levels of functioning. OBJECTIVE: To investigate 1-year outcome and the pattern of recovery after surviving a cardiac arrest. METHODS: This was a multicenter, prospective longitudinal cohort study with 1 year of follow-up (measurements 2 weeks, 3 months, 1 year). On function level, physical/cardiac function (New York Heart Association Classification), cognition (Cognitive Log [Cog-log], Cognitive Failures Questionnaire), emotional functioning (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Impact of Event Scale), and fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale) were assessed. In addition, level of activities (Frenchay Activities Index, FAI), participation (Community Integration Questionnaire [CIQ] and return to work), and quality of life (EuroQol 5D, EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale, SF-36, Quality of Life after Brain Injury) were measured. RESULTS: In this cohort, 141 cardiac arrest survivors were included. At 1 year, 14 (13%) survivors scored below cutoff on the Cog-log. Both anxiety and depression were present in 16 (15%) survivors, 29 (28%) experienced posttraumatic stress symptoms and 55 (52%), severe fatigue. Scores on the FAI and the CIQ were, on average, respectively 96% and 92% of the prearrest scores. Of those previously working, 41 (72%) had returned to work. Most recovery of cognitive function and quality of life occurred within the first 3 months, with further improvement on some domains of quality of life up to 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, long-term outcome in terms of activities, participation, and quality of life after cardiac arrest is reassuring. Nevertheless, fatigue is common; problems with cognition and emotions occur; and return to work can be at risk.

Rehabilitation after Cardiac Arrest: Integration of Neurologic and Cardiac Rehabilitation.

Cognitive impairments are common after resuscitation. Severe cognitive impairments are easily recognized. Mild cognitive impairments are much more difficult to spot. Given the influence of cognitive problems in daily functioning, it is important to identify cognitive impairments at an early stage. Also, emotional problems, mainly depression and fear, are common in this group of patients. To optimize the care for patients after an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, rehabilitation should focus on the physical approach through cardiac rehabilitation and on brain injury and associated cognitive impairments. The goal of rehabilitation after a cardiac arrest is to provide excellent patient-centered cardiac and cognitive rehabilitation to all patients and their spouses to achieve optimal participation in society, with minimal burden for spouses and society. To achieve this, cardiac and cognitive rehabilitation need to be coordinated in an integrated care path.

Recovery of brain function after cardiac arrest, case report and review.

Cerebral hypoxia during cardiac arrest is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in survival victims. To reduce cerebral damage, studies focus on finding effective treatments during the resuscitation period. Our report focuses on a 36-year-old police officer who had had two cardiac arrests (one at home and one at the hospital). After acute treatment, his cardiac and brain functions recovered impressively. Neuropsychological results were normal except for mild anomia. He also reported some retrograde memory loss. Surprisingly, he also reported an improvement in a very specific capacity, his episodic memory. We here review the possible causes and mechanisms that may have affected his memory abilities.

Family Presence during Resuscitation: A Qualitative Analysis from a National Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: The themes of qualitative assessments that characterize the experience of family members offered the choice of observing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of a loved one have not been formally identified. METHODS AND FINDINGS: In the context of a multicenter randomized clinical trial offering family members the choice of observing CPR of a patient with sudden cardiac arrest, a qualitative analysis, with a sequential explanatory design, was conducted. The aim of the study was to understand family members' experience during CPR. All participants were interviewed by phone at home three months after cardiac arrest. Saturation was reached after analysis of 30 interviews of a randomly selected sample of 75 family members included in the trial. Four themes were identified: 1- choosing to be actively involved in the resuscitation; 2- communication between the relative and the emergency care team; 3- perception of the reality of the death, promoting acceptance of the loss; 4- experience and reactions of the relatives who did or did not witness the CPR, describing their feelings. Twelve sub-themes further defining these four themes were identified. Transferability of our findings should take into account the country-specific medical system. CONCLUSIONS: Family presence can help to ameliorate the pain of the death, through the feeling of having helped to support the patient during the passage from life to death and of having participated in this important moment. Our results showed the central role of communication between the family and the emergency care team in facilitating the acceptance of the reality of death.

European Resuscitation Council and European Society of Intensive Care Medicine 2015 guidelines for post-resuscitation care.

The European Resuscitation Council and the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine have collaborated to produce these post-resuscitation care guidelines, which are based on the 2015 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Science with Treatment Recommendations. Recent changes in post-resuscitation care include: (a) greater emphasis on the need for urgent coronary catheterisation and percutaneous coronary intervention following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest of likely cardiac cause; (b) targeted temperature management remains important but there is now an option to target a temperature of 36 °C instead of the previously recommended 32-34 °C; (c) prognostication is now undertaken using a multimodal strategy and there is emphasis on allowing sufficient time for neurological recovery and to enable sedatives to be cleared; (d) increased emphasis on rehabilitation after survival from a cardiac arrest.