Complications of Cardiac arrest

[Mooty2001]

In 2001 I suffered a massive MI and a prolonged cardiac arrest. It was some 45 mins before they got a regular sustained rhythmn again, I was "defibrillated" several times and they even went beyond protocol to save me. Fortunately for me they did. However, ever since then I have felt different. My memory which used to be a particular strength of mine was weaker, and my ability to multitask almost went overnight. I often forget peoples names or the next word that I want to say. It is incredibly infuriating. My spatial awareness seems affected too as I keep bumping into things.  This has notably got worse over the last few months with me forgetting my tablets on several occasions which is very rare for me. My consultant assures me it is just old age but having done a "google" on the subject have found that there are known complications of a prolonged arrest.

Has anyone had a similar experience? I am wondering what to do next. Is there any assessment or tests I can undergo to see if there has been any damage and if it is also deteriorating?

[caregiver222]

You have suffered some brain damage secondary to anoxia.

Exactly what happened and how long your heart was deprived of oxygen cannot be determined from the history you state. If a defibrillator is used immediately and the heart returns to a normal sinus rhythym there may not be too much damage. It is not uncommon for there to be several defibrillations while they inject a medication such as lidocaine to reduce ventricular irritability.

The good news is that recent studies show that we develop new brain cells. The old theory was that this doesn't happen.

You have to stimulate your brain and try every day to expand your abilities. This will involve both physical therapy and mental stimulation.

As far as taking diagnostic tests these will be meaningless. You undoubtedly have damage, but what's the point of knowing exactly where?

As long as you don't have another cardiac arrest and maintain your health the situation should remain stable. There is no reason for your brain to "continue to deteriorate".

During the arrest certain brain cells were deprived of oxygen and died. Afterwards, the damage does not continue to spread. It will remain localized.

Consult your cardiologist and live life to the fullest.

The brain has a great deal of redundancy and other parts can take over tasks even though a part has died.

[kenkeith]

There are diagnostic tests that may be performed include the following:

Blood tests for specific diseases that are suspected (such as low vitamin B12 or thyroid disease)
Cerebral angiographyCerebral angiography
Cognitive testsCognitive tests (psychometric tests)
CT scan or MRI of the headCT scan or MRI of the head
EEGEEG
Lumbar punctureLumbar puncture

The symptoms you describe such as memory loss can be temporary and sometimes permanently.  I have given you a thread that provides some detail on the subject.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Neurology/RE-MEMORY-LOSS-AFTER-OPEN-HEART-