Long-Acting Psychotraumatic Properties of a Cardiac Arrest Experience

Abstract

This study provides the first empirical evidence that the application of the posttraumatic stress disorder paradigm in the long-term evaluation of cardiac arrest survivors significantly contributes to defining a patient population at high risk for serious emotional disability.

Part 12: Education, Implementation, and Teams

“…One prospective cohort study (LOE P1), 666 1 "follow-up of untreated control group in an RCT" study (LOE P2), 667 3 retrospective cohort studies (LOE P3), 634,668,669 and 12 case series (LOE P4) 417,670 -680 showed that cardiac arrest survivors experience problems in physical, cognitive, psychological, and social functioning that impact on quality of life to a varying degree.…”

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in the Wake of Heart Disease: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Future Research Directions

“…The prevalence rate varied from 19% (30) to 38% (31); 19% was found in a study that assessed PTSD close to the index event (mean 9.6 months [range 3-18 months]) (30), whereas studies evaluating PTSD caseness Ͼ22 months found prevalence rates of 27% (32) and 38% (31). Although 3 studies found prevalence rates of a considerable magnitude, a case-control study looking at the risk of PTSD within various patient groups (extensive burns, spinal disorders, amputations, major chest trauma, heart failure, and cardiac arrest) did not identify SCA as a risk factor for PTSD (33).…”

The psychosocial outcomes of anoxic brain injury following cardiac arrest

“…Psychosocial outcomes have been widely investigated in health conditions, including neurological and cardiac disorders, however the psychosocial outcomes of ABI following CA is an under-researched area, with much of the psychological research concentrating on cognitive outcomes.9, 10 The limited existing research has provided variable findings; however there are suggestions that individuals have lower quality of life (QOL) when compared to the general population.11-13 Survivors of CA with ABI have also been found to experience psychological difficulties including anxiety, 14 depression 14,15 and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. 14,16 Difficulties with social functioning 14,17 have also been identified.…”