"The pathogenesis of post-cardiac arrest syndrome (PCAS) is clearly complex and remains poorly understood. In essence, during the arrest phase, organ dysfunction occurs due to ischaemic injury. Following the re-establishment of normal circulation, the ischaemic damage is compounded by "reperfusion injury"."
"A favourable prognosis following a cardiac arrest correlates positively with careful focussed attention to the blood pressure, oxygen saturation, partial pressure of carbon dioxide, blood glucose and core temperature. When these parameters are allowed to shift markedly from their normal ranges, then neurological prognosis and long term survival tend to be significantly negatively impacted. Indeed, despite optimal management, the number of post-cardiac arrest patients achieving discharge from medical care with an optimal neurological recovery remains small 1-3."
"cause of the cardiac arrest, e.g. acute PE, myocardial infarction"
"SIRS-like state e.g. DIC, multiorgan dysfunction"
"As the body tissues are replenished with oxygenated blood, a mélange of activation of systemic inflammatory, clotting, endocrine and immunological cascades occurs, resulting in a state resembling the systemic inflammatory response syndrome, as seen in sepsis and with other severe systemic insults."