Cognitive function and health-related quality of life four years after cardiac arrest

Abstract

Aim: Neuropsychological testing has uncovered cognitive impairment in cardiac arrest survivors with good neurologic outcome according to the cerebral performance categories. We investigated cognitive function and health-related quality of life four years after cardiac arrest.

Methods: Thirty cardiac arrest survivors over the age of 18 in cerebral performance category 1 or 2 on hospital discharge completed the EQ-5D-5L and HADS questionnaires prior to cognitive testing using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery. The results were compared with population norms.

Results: Twenty-nine per cent 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. There was a significant reduction in quality of life on the EQ-VAS, but not on the EQ index.

Conclusion: Cognitive impairment four years after cardiac arrest affected more than one quarter of the patients. Short-term memory was predominantly affected.

Keywords: CANTAB; Cardiac arrest; Cognition disorders; Neuropsychological tests; Quality of life; Treatment outcome.