Adult survivors of severe cerebral hypoxia--case series survey and comparative analysis.
Over 16 years, Wilson [31] saw and assessed 567 patients, 18 (3.2%) had a primary diagnosis of cerebral hypoxia. The present patient survey includes all referrals for assessment, management/advice and neuropsychological rehabilitation to a part-time clinical neuropsychology service, who were seen by the first author over a five year period (October 1995-2000). Of the total patient sample (n = 168), 13 (7.7%) had incurred hypoxic damage from a variety of causes; [3] carbon monoxide poisoning (smoke inhalation), [3] cardiac arrest, [1] accidental alcohol and drug overdose, [1] near (partial) drowning, [1] near hanging (suffocation), [2] respiratory arrest following prolonged status epilepticus, [1] respiratory arrest following severe pneumonia and [1] following Addisonian crisis. The survey includes a sub-group of patients in vegetative and minimally responsive states on referral. Wilson [31] highlighted that considerable variation in cognitive functioning is likely to be observed depending on (a) nature or cause of the hypoxic insult and (b) the degree of anoxia/hypoxia experienced itself. The results of the present survey when compared with Wilson's earlier work provide a larger total data-set from which to draw conclusions and has implications for practitioners who see such patients and are involved in their multidisciplinary management and rehabilitation.
Wilson
F C
FC
Down Lisburn H&SS Trust, Thompson House Hospital, Lisburn, Northern Ireland, UK. f.colinwilson@btopenworld.com
Harpur
J
J
Watson
T
T
Morrow
J I
JI
D000328:Adult; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002534:Hypoxia, Brain / Q000150:complications* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018458:Persistent Vegetative State / Q000209:etiology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017741:Survivors; D016896:Treatment Outcome