Article

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.

Langue : ANGLAIS