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- Lilja, Gisela, et al.
(author)
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Cognitive function after cardiac arrest and temperature management; rationale and description of a sub-study in the Target Temperature Management trial
- 2013
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In: BMC Cardiovascular Disorders. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2261. ; 13
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Mild to moderate cognitive impairment is common amongst long-term survivors of cardiac arrest. In the Target Temperature Management trial (TTM-trial) comatose survivors were randomized to 33 degrees C or 36 degrees C temperature control for 24 hours after cardiac arrest and the effects on survival and neurological outcome assessed. This protocol describes a sub-study of the TTM-trial investigating cognitive dysfunction and its consequences for patients' and relatives' daily life. Methods/Design: Sub-study sites in five European countries included surviving TTM patients 180 days after cardiac arrest. In addition to the instruments for neurological function used in the main trial, sub-study patients were specifically tested for difficulties with memory (Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test), attention (Symbol Digit Modalities Test) and executive function (Frontal Assessment Battery). Cognitive impairments will be related to the patients' degree of participation in society (Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory-4), health related quality of life (Short Form Questionnaire-36v2 (c)), and the caregivers' situation (Zarit Burden Interview (c)). The two intervention groups (33 degrees C and 36 degrees C) will be compared with a group of myocardial infarction controls. Discussion: This large international sub-study of a randomized controlled trial will focus on mild to moderate cognitive impairment and its consequences for cardiac arrest survivors and their caregivers. By using an additional battery of tests we may be able to detect more subtle differences in cognitive function between the two intervention groups than identified in the main study. The results of the study could be used to develop a relevant screening model for cognitive dysfunction after cardiac arrest.
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| 2. |
- Nielsen, Niklas, et al.
(author)
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Targeted Temperature Management at 33 degrees C versus 36 degrees C after Cardiac Arrest
- 2013
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In: New England Journal of Medicine. - 0028-4793. ; 369:23, s. 2197-2206
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BackgroundUnconscious survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest have a high risk of death or poor neurologic function. Therapeutic hypothermia is recommended by international guidelines, but the supporting evidence is limited, and the target temperature associated with the best outcome is unknown. Our objective was to compare two target temperatures, both intended to prevent fever. MethodsIn an international trial, we randomly assigned 950 unconscious adults after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest of presumed cardiac cause to targeted temperature management at either 33 degrees C or 36 degrees C. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality through the end of the trial. Secondary outcomes included a composite of poor neurologic function or death at 180 days, as evaluated with the Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) scale and the modified Rankin scale. ResultsIn total, 939 patients were included in the primary analysis. At the end of the trial, 50% of the patients in the 33 degrees C group (235 of 473 patients) had died, as compared with 48% of the patients in the 36 degrees C group (225 of 466 patients) (hazard ratio with a temperature of 33 degrees C, 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.89 to 1.28; P=0.51). At the 180-day follow-up, 54% of the patients in the 33 degrees C group had died or had poor neurologic function according to the CPC, as compared with 52% of patients in the 36 degrees C group (risk ratio, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.88 to 1.16; P=0.78). In the analysis using the modified Rankin scale, the comparable rate was 52% in both groups (risk ratio, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.89 to 1.14; P=0.87). The results of analyses adjusted for known prognostic factors were similar. ConclusionsIn unconscious survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest of presumed cardiac cause, hypothermia at a targeted temperature of 33 degrees C did not confer a benefit as compared with a targeted temperature of 36 degrees C. (Funded by the Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation and others; TTM ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01020916.)
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| 3. |
- Westhall, Erik, et al.
(author)
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Postanoxic status epilepticus can be identified and treatment guided successfully by continuous electroencephalography.
- 2013
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In: Therapeutic hypothermia and temperature management. - : Mary Ann Liebert Inc. - 2153-7933 .- 2153-7658. ; 3:2, s. 84-87
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Prognostication after cardiac arrest and therapeutic hypothermia is challenging. Recent data indicate that a subgroup of patients with postanoxic status epilepticus may recover. We describe a case of postanoxic status epilepticus with good outcome where a multimodal prognostic strategy motivated active and prolonged treatment. Our patient was a 61-year-old woman resuscitated from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, treated with hypothermia, and monitored with continuous electroencephalography (EEG). Shortly after rewarming, 44 hours after cardiac arrest, electrographic status epilepticus developed and was manifested clinically by myoclonic seizures several hours later. Treatment was guided by continuous simplified EEG monitoring. Conventional antiepileptics were ineffective, and prolonged sedation was necessary to prevent recurrence. Magnetic resonance imaging, somatosensory evoked potentials, and repeated measurements of neuron-specific enolase were unremarkable and did not indicate a poor prognosis. Rather, the EEG characteristics suggested a potential for recovery, and therefore the patient was actively treated until recovery 3 weeks later. At follow-up after 4.5 months, she had only minor neurological sequels. We conclude that a favorable neurological outcome is possible despite prolonged postanoxic status epilepticus. A multimodal strategy for prognostication may help identify treatable cases. Continuous EEG monitoring is an important tool to detect and guide treatment of postanoxic status epilepticus.
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