ANOXIC ENCEPHALOPATHY

Course overview

ANOXIC ENCEPHALOPATHY, OR HYPOXIC-ISCHEMIC BRAIN INJURY, IS A PROCESS THAT BEGINS WITH THE CESSATION OF CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW TO BRAIN TISSUE, WHICH MOST COMMONLY RESULTS FROM POISONING, AS IS THE CASE, FOR EXAMPLE WITH CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING OR DRUG OVERDOSE, VASCULAR INJURY OR INSULT, OR CARDIAC ARREST. MANY PATIENTS WHO SUFFER ANOXIC BRAIN INJURY EXPIRE WITHOUT REGAINING FULL CONSCIOUSNESS AND MANY HAVE VERY POOR NEUROLOGIC OUTCOMES. HOWEVER, SOME ADVANCES ARE BEING MADE IN THIS AREA, AND THERE IS A FOCUS ON IDENTIFYING PATIENTS WITH THE PROSPECT OF IMPROVING NEUROLOGIC MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY. THIS ACTIVITY EXAMINES THE FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE OUTCOMES IN INDIVIDUALS SUFFERING FROM ANOXIC ENCEPHALOPATHY. THIS ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN CARING FOR THESE PATIENTS.