Long-term cognitive recovery after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: Insights into improvement over six months and the role of arrest duration

Background Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. While resuscitation advancements have increased survival, many survivors suffer cognitive impairments that affect their quality of life. Most research has focussed on neurological outcomes, while little attention has been paid to cognitive function. Aim To investigate the proportion of cognitive impairment in OHCA survivors at discharge and six months after cardiac arrest and to investigate the association between the duration of cardiac arrest and level of cognitive function. Methods In this prospective cohort study, 184 OHCA survivors were assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) screening tool. Duration of cardiac arrest was defined by no-flow, low-flow and time to return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Multiple logistic regression analysis provided odds ratios (OR) and confidence intervals (CI). Results The study indicates a significant improvement in cognitive function among OHCA survivors from discharge to the six-month follow-up. The proportion of patients with normal cognitive function increased from 26% to 67%, while the number of patients with severe and moderate cognitive impairment decreased. These results suggest a general enhancement in cognitive function over time. No significant association was found between the duration of cardiac arrest and cognitive function, either at discharge or follow-up. Conclusions Cognitive function improved considerably within six months following cardiac arrest, with the proportion of patients exhibiting normal cognitive function increasing from 26% to 67%. This study found no association between the duration of cardiac arrest and cognitive function.