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UCLA Researchers Say Brain Injury Following Cardiac Arrest Can Be Avoided
Scientists believe that a traumatic brain injury (TBI) following heart failure and cardiac arrest can be avoided as well as repaired, according to a new study. The study, titled, "Neurological Recovery," describes a common condition known as ischemia that occurs often after unwitnessed cardiac arrest when an individual suffers from cessation of blood flow causing severe neurological injury. The neurological or brain damage occurs because heart function and resuscitation have been delayed for 10 minutes, according to the study.
Researchers have previously thought that when at least 30 minutes of ischemia has occurred in an individual, following cardiac arrest, the brain is either suffering from massive injury or death will result. However, the new study found that when a brain suffered from 30 minutes of ischemia, it was possible to recover and amend most of the damages caused to the brain by issuing 20 minutes of "conditioned blood" in a controlled delivery process known as reperfusion.
The authors of the study have been researching reperfusion for nearly 25 years and have found that the process may likely save and and reverse these effects, such as stroke, following cardiac arrest and grouped together as post-cardiac arrest syndrome. Reperfusion along with the administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) assisted victims with their recovery of potential TBI-related outcomes.
Cardiac Arrest and Traumatic Brain Injury
Medical News Today published an article in May 2006 reporting the details on the relationship of brain damage and cardiac arrest. The article found that, "much of the damage from cardiac arrest is neurological and as the brain is starved for blood flow and oxygen, severe brain injury can result."
The National Registry of CPR also conducted a survey of individuals who had suffered from TBI following cardiac arrest and found that in 2006, "among the 19,819 adults and 524 children whose hearts were re-started, their in-hospital mortality rates were 67 percent and 55 percent." Because of the overwhelming number of brain injury incidents that occur following cardiac arrest, researchers continue to search for recovery methods including reperfusion.
Treating Brain Injuries
TBI can be a very difficult condition to treat as there are many signs and symptoms that are often deemed untreatable. Additionally, because hundreds of thousands of the 5.4 million TBI sufferers do not get treated for their condition they may continue to suffer from TBI side effects.
If a patient suffers from a brain injury or is involved in an incident where the brain may have been injured, it is advisable for them to seek medical attention immediately. Additionally, contacting an experienced brain injury attorney may be necessary in order to develop a traumatic brain injury lawsuit to obtain a return on monetary compensation that may pay for TBI treatments.
Peter Kent is the best-selling author of 50 books and hundreds of articles for magazines and newspapers. He manages Legalview.com, a website hosting a variety of information on legal issues, including TBI.
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