Long-term cognitive outcome and brain imaging of 6 patients after cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation were presented.
Brain areas vulnerable to ventricular fibrillation were watershed areas between the territories of the major cerebral arteries, damage of which is demonstrated by functional imaging, such as single photon emission computed tomography, rather than structural imaging, such as magnetic resonance imaging.
Cognitive impairment includes mainly memory dysfunction and transcortical sensory aphasia, which are often compatible with the results of functional imaging.
Lack of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation might deteriorate long-term cognitive impairment.
