BERGEN, NORWAY--Neuropsychological testing has uncovered cognitive impairment in cardiac arrest survivors with good neurologic outcome according to the cerebral performance categories. Researchers from Norway investigated cognitive function and health-related quality of life four years after cardiac arrest. They evaluated 30 cardiac arrest survivors over the age of 18 in cerebral performance category 1 or 2* on hospital discharge, having them complete a battery of cognitive tests. The results were compared with population norms.
The researchers found that 29 percent of patients were cognitively impaired. The pattern of cognitive impairment reflects dysfunction in the medial temporal lobe, with impaired short-time memory and executive function slightly but distinctly affected. They conclude that cognitive impairment four years after cardiac arrest affected more than one quarter of the patients. Short-term memory was predominantly affected.
* CPC 1 = Good cerebral performance: conscious, alert, able to work, might have mild neurologic or psychologic deficit. CPC 2 = moderate cerebral disability: conscious, sufficient cerebral function for independent activities of daily live. Able to work in sheltered envirionment.