Post-cardiorespiratory arrest beta-alpha coma: an unusual electroencephalographic phenomenon
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Updated: Aug 30, 2026

Multi-system Monitoring for Identification of Seizures, Arrhythmias and Apnea in Conscious Restrained Rabbits
Published on: March 27, 2021
G R K Sarma1, A Kumar, A K Roy
1Department of Neurology, St. Johns Medical College Hospital, Bangalore, India. grksarma@yahoo.com
Abstract:
The presence of frontally-dominant alpha pattern in the EEG is common in patients with coma due to trauma, toxic-metabolic causes and following cardiorespiratory arrest. Diffuse beta activity following resuscitation after a cardiac arrest is not well recognized. We report a case of coma in a 3-year-old girl who had a cardiac arrest from which she was revived. Initial EEG showed diffuse beta activity, which later evolved to predominantly alpha activity. The possible mechanisms involved in the generation of such rhythms are discussed. Transition of EEG activity from faster to slower frequencies is suggested as an adverse prognostic factor in post-cardiorespiratory arrest coma.
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