Intellectual and Social Function of Patients Surviving Cardiac Arrest outside the Hospital

Abstract
Survivors (13) of cardiac arrest outside the hospital were examined by clinical and psychological tests 1-3 yr after the incidence, and compared to a matched control group of 13 patients with acute myocardial infarction without cardiac arrest. Patients (7) with previous cardiac arrest and 4 control patients had mild-moderate to moderate-severe dementia. The demential symptoms were not detectable by a clinical interview. Four patients in each group exhibited pronounced anxiety symptoms. There were no clear differences between the 2 groups in respect of changes in cardiac function and social status after the incidence.