Difficulties with memory, attention, concentration, processing speed, executive function, or other aspects of thinking, resulting from injury or illness affecting the brain. Following cardiac arrest, cognitive impairment is common and is caused primarily by hypoxic-ischaemic brain injury — the period during which the brain was deprived of oxygen. The degree of impairment varies enormously between individuals and depends on factors including the duration of the arrest, how quickly CPR and defibrillation were initiated, and individual brain resilience. Mild cognitive impairment may be barely perceptible to others while being highly disruptive to the person experiencing it. Many survivors show significant improvement in the first 6–12 months. Ongoing difficulties may require neuropsychological assessment, occupational therapy, cognitive rehabilitation, and workplace adjustments.
« Back to Glossary IndexCognitive Impairment (post-cardiac arrest)
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