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

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.

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.

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.

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