Multiple neuropsychological deficits due to anoxic encephalopathy: a case study.

In this article we report the case of a woman who survived an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest but was left with severe neuropsychological impairments due to anoxia. The deficits included anterograde and retrograde amnesia, dysphasia, disorientation, intellectual deterioration, visual impairments, ataxia, and myoclonus. Despite this degree of impairment the patient retained some insight into her condition which, in turn, created additional emotional problems. Rehabilitation and the problems of long-term care are considered.