Postresuscitative intensive care: neuroprotective strategies after cardiac arrest

Cardiac arrest is a common disease in the United States, and many patients will die as a result of the neurological damage suffered during the anoxic period, or will live in a neurologically debilitated state. When cardiopulmonary-cerebral resuscitation results in the return of spontaneous circulation, intensive care is required to optimize neurological recovery. Such "brain-oriented" therapies include routine care, such as positioning and maintenance of volume status; optimization of cerebral perfusion, with the use of vasopressors if needed; management of increased intracranial pressure with agents such as hypertonic saline; assuring adequate oxygenation and avoiding hypercapnia; aggressive fever control; intensive glucose control, with the use of an insulin drip if needed; and management of seizures if they occur. To date, no neuroprotectant medications have been shown to improve neurological outcome. Induced moderate therapeutic hypothermia is utilized as a neuroprotective maneuver. Future treatment options and advanced monitoring techniques are also discussed. Further study to optimize neuroprotective strategies when treating patients who survive cardiac arrest is needed.