Unrecognized organic mental disorders in survivors of cardiac arrest.

Long-term survivors of cardiac arrest may suffer from mild cerebral impairment manifested primarily by personality changes and behavioral symptoms that can be mistaken for emotional responses to illness. The authors report six cases that illustrate the clinical problem of differentiating depression from organic brain dysfunction in this population. The diagnosis is facilitated by observation over time and by information from the spouse on baseline and current function. Chronicity, dysinhibition, apathy, and disturbances of judgment and insight indicate cerebral dysfunction. The accurate diagnosis of cerebral impairment after cardiac arrest is essential to the rehabilitation process.