title: [Prognostic assessment as the basis for limiting therapy in unconscious patients after cardiopulmonary resuscitation].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prognosis of patients who have been resuscitated after cardiac arrest is still unfavourable and long-term results have only slightly improved. As a consequence, intensivists are frequently confronted with the question of limiting active therapeutic efforts for patients in prolonged coma. The history of the patient and circumstances of the resuscitation are of limited value with regard to reliable decisions.
  Clinical and electrophysiological neurologic techniques as well as biomarkers and diagnostic imaging are, therefore, the basis for prognostication and potential consecutive therapeutic decisions. Sedation, relaxation and particularly therapeutic hypothermia have great influence on the test results. These influences have to be excluded before results can be validated. With regard to therapeutic hypothermia a reliable neurologic evaluation as a basis for limiting treatment is only possible after rewarming. Moreover results of multiple tests should be in agreement before a decision to limit treatment can be made. Finally it must be kept in mind that the absence of unfavourable test results is not proof of a good prognosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The decision to limit treatment can not be made on the basis of a single adverse prognostic sign, but requires a comprehensive clinical diagnostic assessment.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Kardiologie und Pulmologie, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12200, Berlin, Deutschland. hans-richard.arntz@charite.de.
authors.forename: H-R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Arntz
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Kardiologie und Pulmologie, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12200, Berlin, Deutschland.
authors.forename: H-C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Mochmann
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; D003128:Coma / Q000628:therapy*; D003422:Critical Care; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D004594:Electrophysiology; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007036:Hypothermia, Induced; D011379:Prognosis; D013548:Sweden; D014474:Unconsciousness / Q000628:therapy*; D028761:Withholding Treatment
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers
keywords: Biomarkers; Decision making; Diagnostic imaging; Electrophysiology; Prognosis