Multimodal Neuroprognostication Following Cardiac Arrest: Practical Considerations

Neuroprognostication characterizes the potential for functional recovery in patients who remain unconscious after cardiac arrest. Prognostic impressions heavily influence goals-of-care decisions: Patients deemed to have a favorable recovery potential are often supported through their convalescence journey whereas patients with unfavorable prognosis are transitioned to a comfortable, dignified end-of-life, whenever aligned with their values. No single prognostic test modality is reliable predicting outcomes as subjective and/or unaccounted factors challenge the prediction performance of prognostic tools; hence, multimodal approaches to neuroprognostication are essential to mitigate inaccuracies. Furthermore, understanding meaningful recovery from a patient-centered perspective is critical for personalized decision-making.