Many people are successfully resuscitated after a cardiac arrest and admitted to hospital, but brain recovery remains difficult to predict. Astrid explored how doctors and families could gain earlier insight into whether someone will regain consciousness — and what their quality of life may be afterwards.
Uncertainty after resuscitation
Around 17,000 people in the Netherlands suffer a cardiac arrest each year. Resuscitation techniques have improved significantly, but survival rates are still only about 23 per cent.
“And even if someone wakes up, we don’t really know what the consequences will be,” said Astrid, who alongside her PhD also works as a neurophysiology technician at Rijnstate Hospital.
She pointed to an aspect that is often overlooked: “Being physically alive is only half the story. For many people, waking up brings new challenges, such as memory problems, anxiety or sleep disorders.”
Using EEG and other measurements for better predictions
In her research, Astrid combined several measurement techniques. She used EEG to monitor brain activity and SSEP tests to see whether the brain responds to stimuli.
“SSEP is considered the gold standard for predicting whether someone will wake up,” she explained. “If we don’t see a response, the chance of recovery is less than one per cent.”
EEG patterns can already reveal signals linked to possible brain damage within twelve hours after cardiac arrest. By combining EEG and SSEP, the predictive value increases.
“Not knowing is incredibly hard for family and friends,” Astrid said. “Greater clarity can help both healthcare professionals and relatives.”
Towards better aftercare
Astrid followed patients for a year after their cardiac arrest.
“We don’t just want to predict whether someone wakes up, but also what the long-term outlook is,” she explained. If care teams know early on who is at risk of lasting problems, they can tailor therapy and support more effectively.
“Many patients feel overlooked. They are discharged without follow-up for cognitive complaints,” said Astrid. “That needs to change.”
Bridging clinical practice and science
Astrid’s work connects hands-on clinical experience with fundamental research. By combining multiple measurement techniques and long-term follow-up, she aims to provide tools for better care after cardiac arrest — focused not only on survival, but on quality of life.
