Short summary

There is only very limited knowledge about the mental and cognitive state of cardiac arrest survivors.

However, it seems, that patients who have survived a cardiac arrest, perform mentally and cognitively worse compared to the background population. The aim of this study will be to investigate the above-mentioned potential issues. In the long run the study hopefully can contribute to establishing relevant help, counseling and rehabilitation for the patients and relatives affected.

Rationale

In 2020 there were 1,612 patients in Denmark's hospitals who experienced cardiac arrest (IHCA patients = In Hospital Cardiac Arrest patients). Of these patients, 1,076 patients, i.e., about 67%, survived.

There is only very limited knowledge about the mental and cognitive state of cardiac arrest survivors. However, it seems, that patients who have survived a cardiac arrest, perform mentally and cognitively worse compared to the background population. A new Danish study has, e.g., shown a five-fold increased risk of suicide among cardiac arrest survivors if compared with the Danish background population.

Because the above-mentioned area has limited knowledge, further studies are needed to shed more light into the problem.

Based on the already available literature, it can be hypothesized that, after a cardiac arrest, there is a significant risk of developing mental difficulties, primarily depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Furthermore, there eventually is a risk of experiencing cognitive impairment. The mental and cognitive difficulties are known being able to lead to reduced quality of life for both those affected and their relatives.

The aim of this study will be to investigate the above-mentioned potential issues.

Description of the cohort

The study will be performed as a collaboration between the Research Unit of Mental Health - Children and Adults; Aabenraa, the Department of Cardiology; South Jutland Hospital and the Department of Cardiology B; Odense University Hospital, Odense.

The patients will be recruited from the South Jutland Hospital; Aabenraa and Soenderborg, the Southwest Jutland Hospital; Esbjerg, Hospital Little Belt; Kolding, Odense University Hospital; Svendborg and Odense University Hospital; Odense.

The patients examined will be IHCA patients, who must fulfill some specific inclusion criteria, e.g., not being known with previous psychiatric and/or cognitive disorders. During the study there will also be focus on the relatives closest to the patients.

Data and biological material

To find out if the patients can be included in the study, the patient journals will be studied. After that there will be performed an interview-survey-based study, in which IHCA patients' possible symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD and suicide risk, the patients' quality of life and any cognitive disorder, shortly after and three months after cardiac arrest, will be examined.

The study will also, if possible, focus on the patients' relatives and on the eventual difficulties they may experience in the aftermath of a relative surviving a cardiac arrest.

The above-mentioned will be done using already existing relevant psychiatric and neuropsychological examination tools. In relation to the patients' relatives, however, a separate survey tool, that has been developed, will be used.

Collaborating researchers and departments

The Research Unit of Mental Health - Children and Adults; Aabenraa and the Department of Psychiatry P; Psychiatry in the Region of Southern Denmark, Odense

• Medical doctor, professor, Ph.D.; Elsebeth Stenager

The Department of Cardiology; South Jutland Hospital

• Medical doctor, Ph.D.; Yongzhong Wang
• Medical doctor, Ph.D.; Lene Svendstrup Christensen

The Department of Cardiology B; Odense University Hospital, Odense

• Medical doctor, clinical lector, Ph.D.; Finn Lund Henriksen