Rehabilitation outcome after anoxic brain damage

Outcome was analyzed in a group of 31 patients who were comatose for more than 24 hours after cardiopulmonary arrest and were thereafter referred for inpatient rehabilitation. Seventeen regained functional ambulation, 20 regained oral communication, and 13 regained full independence in activities of daily living. Two regained their approximate previous cognitive level, and one regained his previous level of employment. These outcomes are strikingly inferior to those of patients with prolonged coma after craniocerebral trauma who were hospitalized in the same center during the same period. Both age and coma duration were correlated with outcome. The relatively better outcomes were seen in patients who were 25 years or younger at the time of anoxic injury, and whose coma lasted less than 24 hours.