Caption: Most patients are in a coma the first days after a cardiac arrest. Clinical tests of brain stem function, neurophysiological methods (EEG and SSEP), imaging (CT and MRI) and measurements of biomarkers in the blood are used to assess the extent of brain injury.

Brain injury is the primary cause of death and disability for patients who are resuscitated after a cardiac arrest. Information on the extent of brain injury is necessary to guide important decisions on continuation or withdrawal of intensive care early after a cardiac arrest. We are developing novel diagnostic methods using clinical, neurophysiological, radiological and biochemical approaches. Cognitive impairment is common among survivors of cardiac arrest. We are investigating the process of long-term cognitive recovery and decline, its mechanisms and effects on quality-of-life and participation in societal activities with the ultimate goal to develop new programs for follow-up and rehabilitation. We are a multidisciplinary and multiprofessional group intergrated in the Center for Cardiac Arrest at Lund University and our projects are part of the Targeted Temperature Management trial I and II. For more information, see the project: TTM2