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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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History Of Stopping The Heart For 9 Minutes In The ICU. MRI And ECG Tests Ok. Slight Response, Unable To Talk, Unfocussed Eyes. Chances Of Recovery?

My husband is in the ICU. The doctors said his heart stopped up to nine minutes. They took him off sedation yesterday. He is responding when we ask him to squeeze our hands and he gives us hugs. But he can barely talk and his eyes are not that focused. The doctors will not give me a complete answer to what is going on. How much brain damage would he have if he was down for 9 minutes. Plus, what are the chances of recovery. I am going to get his medical records tomorrow so I know for sure what happened. He did have an MRI yesterday and an ECG?, which both looked ok.
Thu, 9 May 2013
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Cardiologist,  's  Response
I welcome to hcm,thanks for your question. History reviewed it suggestive of probably post resuscitation status for period of 9min. The amount of brain damage depends on time taken for blood flow and oxygen levels in body to reach sufficient levels.9min of cardiac arrest is so significant enough to cause brain damage.but recovery depends on many factors. Normal mri brain and normal ecg suggests alittle favourable for recovery but hypoxic (low oxygen for 9min) damage may not be detected on MRI OR ECG. But responding to oral commands may indicate some good response from brain...wait for few weeks to recovery,but exact period of recovery details can be given by treating physician on day to day response.
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History Of Stopping The Heart For 9 Minutes In The ICU. MRI And ECG Tests Ok. Slight Response, Unable To Talk, Unfocussed Eyes. Chances Of Recovery?

I welcome to hcm,thanks for your question. History reviewed it suggestive of probably post resuscitation status for period of 9min. The amount of brain damage depends on time taken for blood flow and oxygen levels in body to reach sufficient levels.9min of cardiac arrest is so significant enough to cause brain damage.but recovery depends on many factors. Normal mri brain and normal ecg suggests alittle favourable for recovery but hypoxic (low oxygen for 9min) damage may not be detected on MRI OR ECG. But responding to oral commands may indicate some good response from brain...wait for few weeks to recovery,but exact period of recovery details can be given by treating physician on day to day response.