Continuous monitoring of brain perfusion by cerebral oximetry after spontaneous return of circulation in cardiac arrest: a case report

BACKGROUND: Cerebral resuscitation determines the prognosis for patients who have experienced sudden death, and brain protection is the focus of clinical treatment. Cerebral resuscitation depends on the timing and quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). At present, cerebral oxygen monitoring is used mainly to monitor the quality of external cardiac compression and provide a prognosis for the nervous system. However, after the return of autonomous circulation, it is necessary to conduct continuous monitoring to ensure measures are taken timeously since hemodynamic instability, brain edema, and other factors may cause occult brain injury, and invasive arterial pressure cannot represent cerebral perfusion. CASE PRESENTATION: By using continuous cerebral oxygen monitoring after CPR and the return of spontaneous circulation, a patient who was witnessed to have experienced sudden death in the hospital was found to have insufficient cerebral perfusion; he underwent timely intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation to improve his hemodynamics and cerebral perfusion. The patient went on to achieve a good neurological prognosis. CONCLUSION: Cerebral oxygen monitoring should be conducted throughout the treatment period; physicians should understand cerebral perfusion in real time and implement timely intervention measures to reduce occult brain injury and improve the neurological prognosis of patients.