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Specific changes in human brain following reperfusion after cardiac arrest
Stroke
|October 1, 1994
Summary
Serial brain imaging after cardiac arrest reveals characteristic lesions in vegetative patients. Magnetic resonance imaging detected minor hemorrhages in the basal ganglia and thalami, not visible on computed tomography scans.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroradiology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Limited data exists on serial brain changes post-cardiac arrest.
- Persistent vegetative state is a common outcome after resuscitation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sequential neuroradiological changes in vegetative patients after cardiac arrest.
- To identify characteristic imaging findings in the brain following resuscitation.
Main Methods:
- Eight vegetative patients resuscitated from cardiac arrest were studied.
- Serial computed tomographic (CT) and high-field magnetic resonance (MR) imaging were performed.
Main Results:
- CT scans showed symmetrical low-density lesions in basal ganglia and thalami in 7/8 patients.
- MR imaging revealed signs of minor hemorrhages in these areas, not seen on CT.
- Diffuse brain edema (acute) and atrophy (chronic) were consistent findings.
Conclusions:
- High-field MR imaging identified characteristic symmetrical lesions with hemorrhage indicators in the basal ganglia, thalami, and substantia nigra.
- These findings suggest minor hemorrhages from ischemia-reperfusion injury during reperfusion.
- CT was less sensitive in detecting these subtle hemorrhagic changes.