Determination of prognosis after cardiac arrest may be more difficult after introduction of therapeutic hypothermia

SummaryA 50-year-old patient had status epilepticus and no adequate reactions nine days after prolonged out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The cause of the arrest was acute myocardial infarction which was treated successfully with percutaneous cardiac intervention (PCI) and a stent placement. He was treated with therapeutic hypothermia (33° C) for 24 h and in intensive care with respiratory support for 42 days. One year later he has fully recovered and is back to normal life and academic work. The previously reported 100% prognosis of a poor neurological outcome in the presence of seizures 72 h post arrest may need to be re-examined after introduction of therapeutic hypothermia.