Quality of life after cardiac arrest : a literature overview

Aim: The aim was to describe adult patients quality of life after cardiac arrest and resuscitation with CPR. Method: A literature overview based on eight scientific articles and one master thesis. Results: The result is presented in three categories, physical, psychological and social quality of life. Sleeping disorders, fatigue and low energy level affected the physical quality of life in a negative way. The psychological quality of life was often impaired the first time after the cardiac arrest, to be improved over time. Number of patients described a will to change their life, to put priorities straight and live for the moment. The social quality of life was affected by several factors such as social isolation, work disability and impaired social network. Several patients had to move to sheltered accommodation and many more patients was relaying on others to manage their activity of daily living (ADL). Other patients described no change regarding their social quality of life. Conclusion: The results showed that very few people survived a cardiac arrest, but once survival was achieved, a fairly good quality of life could be expected. Several of the studies also showed that patients can have a good quality of life despite physical, psychological and social dysfunction