The pseudo-rhythmic electroendephalogram after cardiac arrest

Five cases are presented showing on the EEG pseudo-rhythmic discharges appearing on almost flat lines, after reanimation of a cardiac arrest. The morphology of the complexes is quite similar, except in the period immediately preceding death, where they are more disformed. All patients died within the following days, except one. In four of the five cases myoclonic jerks occurred, consisting of brief convulsions over the whole body, especially in the arms and the face. A literature survey shows that this EEG pattern after circulatory arrest, is not rare. It is almost always followed by death. Myoclonic jerks may or may not be present and are not necessarily synchronous with the EEG discharges. The electrogenetic origin is not yet elucidated, although it seems that the pattern may appear at a state of complete loss of cortical function.