Anoxic brain injury due to global ischemia: analysis of three clinical cases.

The article analyses three clinical cases of patients in a permanent vegetative state due to cardiac arrest and prolonged cardiopulmonary resuscitation. All patients were admitted to Federal State Budget Scientific Institution -- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Intensive Care Medicine and Rehabilitology, Moscow, Russia. For diagnosing and prognosis for the progression of the disease a detailed examination was held, including electroencephalography, polysomnography, positron emission computed tomography, single-photon emission computed tomography, functional perfusion computed tomography, electroneuromyography, evoked potentials studies, laboratory studies, and other available tests. Instrumental diagnostics methods confirm the principal component that determines the level of consciousness in this type of damage -- diffuse damage to the cerebral cortex. To conclude realization of the rehabilitation potential of such patients is impossible without the control of nutritional support. Amino acid profile is one of the markers and ways to control metabolic function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]