Management after cardiac arrest

Abstract

DEATtt subsequent to initially successful cardiac re~uscilation is no~ uncommonly reported. Fatalities are primarily "related tOocentra lo-nerVous system damage. Too often the cycle of hypoxia, cardiac arrect, circulatory arrest, central nervous system damage, cerebral oedema, hypoxia, becomes irreversible, despite successfully resuscitated cardiac and circulatory haemodynarnics. The introduction of deliberately induced controlled availability of an intravenous urea preparation have with two valuable adjuncts in the management of the I: On a physiologieo-pharmacological basis they are appl these patients. It is well documented that hypothermi~ ments of central nervous system tissues and allows thei oxygen supply. This is desirable "in patients with rece tral nervous system. Urea has been shown tO rec sure and cerebral oedema. These two techniques, then, would appea~ useful in the reversal or arrest of the grave hypoxic q conditions for recovery of hypoxic damage to centra We have had this hypothesis substantiated by our cli: Table I summarizes six selected case reports, i application of these principles, as a guide to a method after'cardiac arrest.

The electroencephalogram after cardiac arrest

“…Therefore it has been recommended that hypothermia should in all cases of cardiac arrest with central nervous system damage. 2,4 The in clinical practice is the recognition of cerebral damage early enough to treatment at a time when it is most beneficial.…”