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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Long It Take To Recover From The Heart Attack?

Relative had a heart attach yesterday morning. After CPR for at least 10 min. He was taken to hospital. now on ventilator, in ICU. we are told docors pleased with vital signs, and brain scan was ok, he is unresponsive to anything (pain, people etc). is this common? how long before we worry about unresponsivness?
Mon, 27 Apr 2015
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Cardiologist,  's  Response


Hello!

Thank you for asking on HCM!

Regarding your concern, I would explain that prolonged CPR, may be associated with implications of cerebral activity (altered consciousness), that may range form a light confusion to the most extreme complication (cerebral death).

As the patient is actually on ventilator, he may be on sedatives and hypnotics treatment. So, also the treatment does influence on his unresponsiveness.

Nevertheless, an exploratory EEG would clarify current cerebral activity, and identify potential cerebral injuries.

You need to talk to the attending intensivists and cardiologist about his overall and cerebral clinical status, and to clarify when he is going to wean from the ventilator, and sedatives, and about his life expectancy (facing his obvious clinical scenario).

Hope to have been helpful to you. Greetings! Dr. Iliri
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How Long It Take To Recover From The Heart Attack?

Hello! Thank you for asking on HCM! Regarding your concern, I would explain that prolonged CPR, may be associated with implications of cerebral activity (altered consciousness), that may range form a light confusion to the most extreme complication (cerebral death). As the patient is actually on ventilator, he may be on sedatives and hypnotics treatment. So, also the treatment does influence on his unresponsiveness. Nevertheless, an exploratory EEG would clarify current cerebral activity, and identify potential cerebral injuries. You need to talk to the attending intensivists and cardiologist about his overall and cerebral clinical status, and to clarify when he is going to wean from the ventilator, and sedatives, and about his life expectancy (facing his obvious clinical scenario). Hope to have been helpful to you. Greetings! Dr. Iliri