Determination of neurological prognosis

Abstract

After a patient undergoes therapeutic hypothermia (TH) and rewarming is achieved, a neurologist is often involved to prognosticate, especially in difficult cases when the patient remains in a coma. The neurologist must use both the clinical exam and various other data including electrophysiological tests to make a conclusion and suggest the most likely outcome for the patient to the primary team and family. This chapter will review the most current evidence from literature regarding the various elements used to make a prognosis.