A cardiac arrest survivorship clinic is a specialist follow-up service designed to address the full range of needs of cardiac arrest survivors, including physical, cognitive, psychological, and practical concerns. These clinics have developed in recognition that standard cardiology follow-up, which typically focuses on the underlying cardiac condition and device management, often does not adequately address the broader challenges of life after cardiac arrest.
What a survivorship clinic provides
The focus and scope of survivorship clinics varies, but they typically include assessment and support across several domains:
- Cardiac: review of the underlying cause, device function, medication, and ongoing cardiac risk
- Cognitive: screening for memory, attention, and executive function difficulties, with referral to neuropsychology when indicated
- Psychological: screening for PTSD, anxiety, depression, and adjustment difficulties, with referral to appropriate psychological services
- Practical: guidance on driving, return to work, activity, relationships, and benefits
- Family support: recognising that partners and family members are also affected and may need support in their own right
Who is involved
Survivorship clinics may be staffed by a combination of cardiologists, cardiac nurse specialists, neuropsychologists, clinical psychologists, occupational therapists, and social workers, depending on the centre and its resources.
Availability in the UK
Dedicated cardiac arrest survivorship clinics are not yet universally available across the UK. Provision varies significantly by region. SCA UK advocates for survivors to have access to comprehensive follow-up care as a standard part of their post-cardiac arrest pathway, and can provide information about what to ask for if a survivorship clinic is not available locally.
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