Restoration of Cerebral Function after Prolonged Cardiac Arrest

Abstract

During a surgical operation on the foot of a 7-yr.-old boy, his heart was in either fibrillation or complete arrest for a continuous period of 27 min. Progressive recovery over a 5-month period is described in detail, with special emphasis on neurological and psychological signs. Following 10 hrs. of unconsciousness, a prolonged period of infantilism ensued (incontinence, alexia, extensor plantar re-sponse, etc.). Astereognosis and myopia were prominent among the more persistent effects. There were no persistent signs of dysfunction of subcerebral structures. Recovery was complete.