Der Nervenarzt
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The developments of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and intensive care medicine have made possible survival after cardiac arrest. However, only 10-30% of patients with initially successful resuscitation later reach a state without severe neurological impairment. Ethical and socioeconomic reasons therefore make early prognosis important for certain patients. ⋯ The same result can be predicted if brain imaging shows severe hypoxemic changes or if a myoclonic status occurs on the first day. In summary, the prognosis in patients with cerebral anoxy and cardiopulmonary resuscitation remains poor. Treatment with hypothermia for 24 h is recommended.