Clinical and socio-demographic determinants of self-care behaviours in patients with heart failure and diabetes mellitus: A multicentre cross-sectional study

BackgroundSelf-care is vital for patients with heart failure to maintain health and quality of life, and it is even more vital for those who are also affected by diabetes mellitus, since they are at higher risk of worse outcomes. The literature is unclear on the influence of diabetes on heart failure self-care as well as on the influence of socio-demographic and clinical factors on self-care.Objectives(1) To compare self-care maintenance, self-care management and self-care confidence of patients with heart failure and diabetes versus those heart failure patients without diabetes; (2) to estimate if the presence of diabetes influences self-care maintenance, self-care management and self-care confidence of heart failure patients; (3) to identify socio-demographic and clinical determinants of self-care maintenance, self-care management and self-care confidence in patients with heart failure and diabetes.DesignSecondary analysis of data from a multicentre cross-sectional study.SettingOutpatient clinics from 29 Italian provinces.Participants1192 adults with confirmed diagnosis of heart failure.MethodsSocio-demographic and clinical data were abstracted from patients’ medical records. Self-care maintenance, self-care management and self-care confidence were measured with the Self-Care of Heart Failure Index Version 6.2; each scale has a standardized score from 0 to 100, where a score <70 indicates inadequate self-care. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed.ResultsOf 1192 heart failure patients, 379 (31.8%) had diabetes. In these 379, heart failure self-care behaviours were suboptimal (means range from 53.2 to 55.6). No statistically significant differences were found in any of the three self-care measures in heart failure patients with and without diabetes. The presence of diabetes did not influence self-care maintenance (p = 0.12), self-care management (p = 0.21) or self-care confidence (p = 0.51). Age (p = 0.04), number of medications (p = 0.01), presence of a caregiver (p = 0.04), family income (p = 0.009) and self-care confidence (p < 0.001) were determinants of self-care maintenance. Gender (p = 0.01), number of medications (p = 0.004) and self-care confidence (p < 0.001) were significant determinants of self-care management. Number of medications (p = 0.002) and cognitive function (p < 0.001) were determinants of self-care confidence.ConclusionsSelf-care was poor in heart failure patients with diabetes mellitus. This population needs more intensive interventions to improve self-care. Determinants of self-care in heart failure patients with diabetes mellitus should be systematically assessed by clinicians to identify patients at risk of inadequate self-care.     

慢性心功能衰竭患者认知功能对自我护理的影响

目的探讨慢性心功能衰竭患者认知功能对自我护理的影响,识别认知受损的患者,以期引起护理人员对慢性心功能衰竭患者认知功能的关注,为优先对认知受损患者提供实施延续性护理服务提供依据。方法对北京阜外心血管病医院慢性心功能衰竭监护病房及内科重症监护病房的152例住院慢性心功能衰竭患者,使用蒙特利尔认知功能评估表和心功能衰竭自我护理指数量表进行调查。结果以24分为界值,发现21.3%的患者伴认知功能损伤;其中延迟回忆、语言、视空间与执行功能维度受损较严重;多元线性回归分析结果显示,年龄、心功能分级、抑郁状况及认知功能对自我护理维持变异的解释度为30.1%,其中认知功能占21.5%;认知功能对自我护理管理及自我护理信心变异的解释度分别为29.2%和36.5%。结论慢性心功能衰竭患者的认知功能影响了其自我护理,医务人员在临床工作中应识别认知受损的慢性心功能衰竭患者并对其优先实施延续性护理。     

MOTIVATional intErviewing to improve self-care in Heart Failure patients (MOTIVATE-HF): Study protocol of a three-arm multicenter randomized controlled trial

AimsHeart Failure (HF) self-care improves patient outcomes but trials designed to improve HF self-care have shown inconsistent results. Interventions may be more effective in improving self-care if they mobilize support from providers, promote self-efficacy, increase understanding of HF, increase the family involvement, and are individualized. All of these elements are emphasized in motivational interviewing (MI); few trials have been conducted using MI in HF patients and rarely have caregivers been involved in MI interventions. The aim of this study will be to evaluate if MI improves self-care maintenance in HF patients, and to determine if MI improves the following secondary outcomes: a) in HF patients: self-care management, self-care confidence, symptom perception, quality of life, anxiety/depression, cognition, sleep quality, mutuality with caregiver, hospitalizations, use of emergency services, and mortality; b) in caregivers: caregiver contribution to self-care, quality of life, anxiety/depression, sleep, mutuality with patient, preparedness, and social support.MethodsA three-arm randomized controlled trial will be conducted in a sample of 240 HF patients and caregivers. Patients and caregivers will be randomized to the following arms: 1) MI intervention to patients only; 2) MI intervention to patients and caregivers; 3) standard of care to patients and caregivers. The primary outcome will be measured in patients 3 months after enrollment. Primary and secondary outcomes also will be evaluated 6, 9 and 12 months after enrollment.ConclusionThis study will contribute to understand if MI provided to patients and caregivers can improve self-care. Because HF is rising in prevalence, findings can be useful to reduce the burden of the disease.     

How do patients develop self-care behaviors to live well with heart failure?: A focus group interview study

BackgroundHeart failure (HF) requires distinctive lifelong self-care behaviors. However, self-care behaviors in the context of HF are poorly understood. Exploring how to develop self-care behaviors among patients with HF can help nurses understand patient perspectives and promote effective patient engagement with self-care for a healthy transition to living well with HF.AimTo explore how patients with HF adhere to self-care and create self-care agency after HF diagnosis by examining their experiences.MethodsFocus group interviews (FGI) were conducted to explore views from patients with HF who attended a cardiology outpatient clinic. Five focus groups (FGs) with a total of 25 participants with a mean age of 66.64 ± 7.97 were interviewed. FGs ranged in size from three to seven individuals. All interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using a thematic analysis approach.FindingsAnalysis revealed four main themes: (a) Patient perspectives on living with HF; (b) Health information-seeking behaviors; (c) Motivation and readiness regarding HF self-care; and (d) Healthy transitions. This study shows that accepting and understanding HF is an important first step for patients to move forward with managing their disease and living well with HF.ConclusionOur study shows that patients motivate themselves to engage in self-care behaviors when they perceive HF as a chronic disease with an uncertain and unpredictable illness trajectory and gain sufficient health information. Moreover, perceived social support and self-efficacy are essential components in creating HF self-care agency. Healthcare professionals should provide education and social support and encourage patients to adopt self-care behaviors.     

Implementation of a self-care of heart failure program among home-based clients

Heart failure is the most common admission in hospitals among Medicare recipients aged 65 years or older. Self-care management of heart failure has been reported to decrease heart failure hospital admission rates. The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to examine how a self-care of heart failure program (Heart Failure Self-care to Success) impacts hospital admissions and patient perceptions of self-care management. Heart Failure Self-care to Success (HF S2S) was successfully implemented with 18 participants by nurse practitioners in a house call practice. Six months following implementation of the self-care of heart failure program no heart failure admissions occurred among participants and a significant increase in their self-care of heart failure behaviors (p < .01) was reported by participants. Nurse practitioners using HF S2S can decrease health care costs and improve self-care behaviors in the older, homebound heart failure patient. Further testing of HF S2S is recommended in different practice settings, sample populations, and geographic locations.     

The relationship between cognitive function and having diabetes in patients treated with hemodialysis

PurposePatients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) have a higher prevalence of cognitive impairment and inferior cognitive performance than the general population, and those with cognitive impairment are at higher risk of death than those without cognitive impairment. Having diabetes has been associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline in end-stage kidney disease patients treated with peritoneal dialysis or kidney transplant. However, these findings may not extend to the hemodialysis population. Thus, we aim to investigate the relationship between having diabetes and cognitive function in MHD patients.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study. A total of 203 patients treated with MHD from two blood purification centers were enrolled as subjects. The Chinese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was utilized to assess cognitive function.ResultsMHD patients with diabetes had a significantly higher prevalence of global cognitive impairment and inferior performance in global cognition, visuospatial/executive function, naming, language, abstraction and orientation tasks compared with those without diabetes. According to the multiple linear analyses, having diabetes was significantly associated with lower global cognitive function, naming, and language scores, with β coefficients and 95% CIs of −1.30 [ −2.59, −0.01], −0.25 [−0.47, −0.02], and −0.32 [−0.58, −0.07], respectively (all P < 0.05). Having diabetes could not independently predict an increased risk of global cognitive impairment.ConclusionsIn MHD patients, having diabetes is significantly associated with lower cognitive function scores. Medical staff should evaluate early and focus on the decline of cognitive function in MHD patients with diabetes, in order to achieve early diagnosis and early intervention.     

Theory-guided interventions for Chinese patients to adapt to heart failure: A quasi-experimental study

ObjectivesTo examine the effects of the Roy Adaptation Model-based interventions on adaptation in persons with heart failure.MethodsA quasi-experimental study was conducted in Hangzhou, China, from March 2018 to November 2019. A convenience sample of 112 participants with heart failure from a multi-campus hospital was enrolled. Participants were allocated into an intervention group (n = 55) and a control group (n = 57) according to their hospitalized campus. A culturally-tailored care plan intervention based on the Roy Adaptation Model was performed in the intervention group. The control group received bedside patient education and a regular booklet for HF home care before discharge. Heart ultrasound, Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ), a knowledge survey, Self-care Heart failure Index (SCHFI), and Coping and Adaptation Processing Scale-Short Form (CAPS-SF) were used to measure patients’ levels of adaptation of physical function, self-concept, role function, and interdependence at baseline and six months after discharge.ResultsNinety-one participants with complete data, 43 in the intervention group and 48 in the control group, were included in the analysis for the primary endpoints and showed adaptive improvement trends. Most patients in the intervention group completed 60% or more of the given interventions. At the sixth month after discharge, compared with the control group, the intervention group had improved adaptive behaviors showing higher scores of the MLHFQ (70.90 ± 22.45 vs. 54.78 ± 18.04), heart failure-related knowledge (13.79 ± 2.45 vs. 10.73 ± 4.28), SCHFI maintenance (57.67 ± 13.22 vs. 50.35 ± 10.88), and CAPS-SF (40.23 ± 4.36 vs. 38.27 ± 2.60) at the six-month follow-up (P ＜ 0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the scores of left ventricular ejection fraction, scores of SCHFI management and SCHFI confidence subscales (P > 0.05).ConclusionsThe findings reported evidence of positive adaptation in patients with heart failure, indicating that the Roy Adaptation Model is an effective guide for developing an implemented framework for the nursing practice of the patients. The culturally-tailored care plan intervention is helpful to improve adaptation of patients with heart failure.     

The Self-Care of Heart Failure Index version 7.2: Further psychometric testing

Clinicians and researchers need valid and reliable instruments to evaluate heart failure (HF) self-care. The Self-Care of Heart Failure Index (SCHFI) is a theoretically driven instrument developed for this purpose. The SCHFI measures self-care with three scales: self-care maintenance, measuring behaviors to maintain HF stability; symptom perception, measuring monitoring behaviors; and self-care management, assessing the response to symptoms. After the theory underpinning the SCHFI was updated, the instrument was updated to version 7.2 but it was only tested in the United States. In this study we tested the psychometric characteristics (structural and construct validity, internal consistency, and test–retest reliability) of the SCHFI v.7.2 in an Italian population of HF patients. We used a cross-sectional design to study 280 HF patients with additional data collected after 2 weeks for test–retest reliability. Adults with HF (mean age 75.6 (±10.8); 70.8% in New York Heart Association [NYHA] classes II and III) were enrolled from six centers across Italy. Confirmatory factor analysis showed supportive structural validity in the three SCHFI v.7.2 scales (CFI from 0.94 to 0.95; RMSEA from 0.05 to 0.07). Internal consistency reliability estimated with Cronbach's α and composite reliability ranged between .73 and .88; test–retest reliability ranged between 0.73 and 0.92. Construct validity was supported with significant correlations between the SCHFI v.7.2 scale scores and quality of life, brain natriuretic peptide levels and NYHA class. This study further supports the psychometric characteristics of the SCHFI v.7.2, illustrating that it can be used in clinical practice and research also in an Italian population.     

Gender differences in heart failure self-care: A multinational cross-sectional study

Background

Despite a common view that women are better at self-care, there is very little evidence to support or challenge this perspective in the heart failure (HF) population.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine if there are cross-cultural gender differences in self-reported HF self-care and to describe gender differences in the determinants of HF self-care.

Design, setting, and participants

A secondary analysis was completed of cross-sectional study data collected on 2082 adults with chronic HF from the United States, Australia and Thailand.

Methods

Comparisons were made between men and women regarding self-care maintenance, management and confidence as assessed by the Self-Care of Heart Failure Index, as well as the proportion of subjects engaged in adequate self-care. Multivariate comparisons were made to determine if gender explained sufficient variance in HF self-care and the likelihood of reporting adequate self-care, controlling for nine model covariates.

Results

The sample was comprised of 1306 men and 776 women. Most (73.5%) had systolic or mixed systolic and diastolic HF and 45% had New York Heart Association class III or IV HF. Although small and clinically insignificant gender differences were found in self-care maintenance, gender was not a determinant of any aspect of HF self-care in multivariate models. Married women were 37% less likely to report adequate self-care maintenance than unmarried women. Comorbidities only influenced the HF self-care of men. Being newly diagnosed with HF also primarily affected men. Patients with diastolic HF (predominantly women) had poorer self-care maintenance and less confidence in self-care.

Conclusion

Differences in HF self-care are attributable to factors other than gender; however, there are several gender-specific determinants of HF self-care that help identify patients at risk for practicing poor self-care.     

Adequate health literacy is associated with higher heart failure knowledge and self-care confidence in hospitalized patients

Heart failure (HF) patients with inadequate health literacy are at increased risk for poor self-care and negative health outcomes such as hospital readmission. The purpose of the present study was to examine the prevalence of inadequate health literacy, the reliability of the Dutch HF Knowledge Scale (DHFKS) and the Self-care of Heart Failure Index (SCHFI), and the differences in HF knowledge, HF self-care, and 30-day readmission rate by health literacy level among patients hospitalized with HF. The convenience sample included adults (n = 95) admitted to a large, urban, teaching hospital whose primary diagnosis was HF. Measures included the Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults, the DHFKS, the SCHFI, and readmission at 30 days after discharge. The sample was 59 ± 14 years in age, 51% male, and 67% African American; 35% had less than a high school education, 35% were employed, 73% lived with someone who helps with their HF care, and 16% were readmitted within 30 days of index admission. Health literacy was inadequate for 42%, marginal for 19%, and adequate for 39%. Reliability of the DHFKS and SCHFI scales was comparable to prior reports. Mean knowledge score was 11.43 ± 2.26; SCHFI subscale scores were 56.82 ± 17.12 for maintenance, 63.64 ± 18.29 for management, and 65.02 ± 16.34 for confidence. Those with adequate health literacy were younger and had higher education level, HF knowledge scores, and HF self-care confidence compared with those with marginal or inadequate health literacy. Self-care maintenance and management scores and 30-day readmission rate did not differ by health literacy level. These findings demonstrate the high prevalence of inadequate and marginal health literacy and that health literacy is an important consideration in promoting HF knowledge and confidence in self-care behaviors, particularly among older adults and those with less than a high school education.     

Gender differences in and factors related to self-care behaviors: a cross-sectional, correlational study of patients with heart failure

Background

Although self-care may reduce exacerbations of heart failure, reported rates of effective self-care in patients with heart failure are low. Modifiable factors, including psychosocial status, knowledge, and physical factors, are thought to influence heart failure self-care, but little is known about their combined impact on self-care.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to identify factors related to self-care behaviors in patients with heart failure.

Design

A cross-sectional, correlational study design was used.

Participants and settings

One hundred twenty-two patients (77 men and 45 women, mean age 60 ± 12 years old, 66% New York Heart Association functional class III/IV) were recruited from the outpatient clinics of an academic medical center and two community hospitals.

Methods

Data on self-care behaviors (Self-Care of Heart Failure Index), depressive symptoms, perceived control, self-care confidence, knowledge, functional status, and social support were collected. Factors related to self-care were examined using hierarchical multiple regression.

Results

Mean self-care behavior scores were less than 70 indicating the majority of men and women with HF did not consistently engage in self-care behaviors. Higher self-care confidence and perceived control and better heart failure management knowledge were associated with better self-care (r² = .25, p < .001). Higher perceived control and better knowledge were related to better self-care behaviors in men (r² = .18, p = .001), while higher self-care confidence and poorer functional status were related to better self-care behaviors in women (r² = .35, p < .001).

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the substantial impact of modifiable factors such as confidence in one’s self-care abilities, perceived control, and knowledge on self-care behaviors. This study demonstrates that there are gender differences in factors affecting self-care, even though at baseline men and women have similar knowledge levels, physical, psychological, and behavioral status. Effective interventions focusing on modifiable factors and the unique characteristics of men and women should be provided to improve self-care behaviors in patients with heart failure.     

Effects of early cognitive rehabilitation training on cognitive function and quality of life in critically ill patients with cognitive impairment: A randomised controlled trial

BackgroundPatients often develop cognitive dysfunction during admission to the ICU and after being transferred out of the ICU, which leads to physical disorders, sleep disorders, and psychological stress.Cognitive rehabilitation training can significantly improve patients' planning, decision-making ability, and executive function.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to explore the role of early cognitive rehabilitation training in improving cognitive impairment in critically ill patients.MethodsThis study was a prospective, randomised, controlled clinical trial conducted from January 2017 to June 2021. Critically ill patients with cognitive impairment admitted to the Department of Intensive Care Medicine of The Third Hospital of Mianyang were randomly divided into the control (n = 68) and intervention groups (n = 68). Cognitive rehabilitation training (including digital operating system training, music therapy, aerobic training, and mental health intervention) was applied to the patients in the intervention group for 6 months, while the control group did not receive any cognitive intervention. Before 3 and 6 months after enrolment, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey Scale were used to evaluate cognitive function and quality of life, respectively, in both groups.ResultsA total of 136 critical patients were included in the final analysis. There were no significant differences in sex, age, years of education, complications, intensive care unit hospitalisation time, mechanical ventilation time, or the total score of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale when transferred out of the intensive care unit in 24 hours between the two groups. Six months later, the results of the follow-up showed that the cognitive function score in the intervention group was significantly higher than that in the control group (26.69 ± 2.49 vs. 23.03 ± 3.79). The analysis of quality of life showed that the scores in all areas in the intervention group improved. There were significant differences in physical functioning (69.02 ± 8.14 vs. 63.38 ± 11.94), role physical (62.02 ± 12.18 vs. 58.09 ± 8.83), general health (46.00 ± 15.21 vs. 40.38 ± 13.77), vitality (61.00 ± 11.01 vs. 54.38 ± 13.80), social functioning (70.00 ± 10.29 vs. 64.41 ± 13.61), role emotional (78.00 ± 8.00 vs. 72.15 ± 12.18), and mental health (71.00 ± 12.33 vs. 55.37 ± 10.76) between the two groups (P < 0.05).ConclusionEarly cognitive rehabilitation training can improve cognitive impairment in critically ill patients and their quality of life.     

Heart Failure Beliefs and Self-Care Adherence While Being Treated in an Emergency Department

Background

Heart failure (HF) emergency department (ED) visits are commonly due to HF self-care nonadherence.

Objective

Our objective was to assess the accuracy of HF beliefs and adherence to self care in patients using an ED for acute HF.

Methods

A cross-sectional, correlational study using validated surveys of HF beliefs and self-care adherence was conducted. A multivariable regression model was used to control for significant baseline factors.

Results

In 195 adults, mean HF beliefs score was 2.8 ± 0.3, significantly below the accurate cutoff score of 3.0 (p < 0.001). Mean HF self-care adherence score was 5.1 (10 reflects best adherence). Of HF-related self-care behaviors, adherence was highest for taking medications without skipping or missing doses (7.8 ± 3.3) and lowest for daily weight monitoring (3.5 ± 3.5). Higher accuracy in HF beliefs was associated with higher education level (p = 0.01), younger age (p < 0.001), and choosing low-sodium restaurant foods (p = 0.04), but not with adherence to other self-care behaviors. Self-care adherence was associated with the belief that the HF care plan must be followed forever (p = 0.04), but not with other HF beliefs; and there was a trend toward lower HF self-care adherence when HF belief scores were more accurate. After controlling for significant baseline factors, HF beliefs were not associated with self-care adherence (p = 0.15).

Conclusions

Patients seeking ED care for decompensated HF had inaccurate HF beliefs and poor self-care adherence. Lack of association between HF beliefs and self care (and trend of an inverse relationship) reflects a need for predischarge HF education, including an explanation of what HF means and how it can be better controlled through self-care behaviors.     

The relationship between self-care and health status domains in Thai patients with heart failure

Background

Little is known about the relationship between self-care in heart failure (HF) and outcomes like health status. The purpose of this study was to describe the relationship between HF self-care and Short Form-36 (SF-36) health status domains.

Methods and results

A secondary analysis of cross-sectional data collected on 400 HF patients living in southern Thailand was completed using bivariate comparisons and hierarchical multiple regression modeling. Thai population norm-based SF-36 scores and Self-Care of Heart Failure Index (SCHFI) scores were used in the analysis. The sample was in older adulthood (65.7 ± 13.8 years), a slight majority of subjects were male (52%); the majority of subjects (62%) had class III or IV HF. Each health domain was low in this sample compared to the general population. SCHFI maintenance and confidence scores were correlated significantly with each health status domain. SCHFI scores explained a significant amount of variance all domains, both in bivariate and multivariate models, except social functioning. In multivariate models, higher levels of self-care were associated with better health in certain domains, but only when both SCFHI management and confidence were high.

Conclusion

Improving HF self-care may be a mechanism through which future interventions can improve health in this population.     

“Upgrading self-esteem: Effectiveness of cognitive enhancement package among psychiatric inpatients.”

ObjectiveTo assess and compare the self-esteem before and after administration of cognitive enhancement package among psychiatric inpatients.Design & methodQuantitative approach, Non-Equivalent control group pre-test and post-test design under quasi experimental research design was used for study. Total 60 psychiatric inpatients whose scores came out to be 25 and less in Rosenberg Self-esteem scale were enrolled in the study. Samples were selected by using purposive sampling method. Total four sessions of intervention were provided with 80 to 100 min for overall tasks. Interventions comprised of total three sub-tasks and each task was followed by daily assessment of progression with the help of self-care activities checklist for self-care activities, Ferrara Group Experience scale for group interaction and Mini-Mental Status Examination for cognitive functioning. Post-test was taken on fifth day of intervention.ResultsThe results showed that mean score of self-esteem (14.17 ± 2.00), self-care activities (3.83 ± 2.34) and group interaction (20.83 ± 7.42) along with cognitive functioning (18.23 ± 6.07) in pre-test were in lower level comparatively than in post-test after administration of Cognitive Enhancement Package which is self-esteem(20.17 ± 3.24), self-care activities (6.82 ± 2.31), group interaction (37.90 ± 5.71) and cognitive functioning (24.80 ± 4.12) at the 0.05 level of significance (p ≤ 0.05). However, the score remained same or decreased in case of comparison group who only received routine hospital care.ConclusionAll in all, present study concluded that different innovative psychological approaches like Cognitive Enhancement Package can be incorporated along with usual psychopharmacology in order to promote the overall wellbeing and better rehabilitation for the psychiatric inpatients.     

Low literacy self-care management patient education for a multi-lingual heart failure population: Results of a pilot study

PurposeThe purpose of this pilot study was to test the impact of language-free, low literacy self-care management patient education materials in an ethnically diverse multilingual heart failure (HF) population.MethodsA one group pre-test–post-test design measured changes in self-care, knowledge and health-related quality of life (HRQL) after a 1 month intervention using language-free, low literacy self-care management patient education materials and delivered by a health educator.ResultsThe ethnically diverse sample (n = 21) was predominately male (72%), 48% Black, 42% Hispanic, and 28% marginal/inadequate literacy. There were significant improvements in self-care and knowledge but not HRQL.ConclusionsLanguage-free, low literacy self-care patient education may facilitate improved self-care and knowledge in diverse populations who are at risk for poor HF outcomes.     

Neurocognitive outcomes following successful resuscitation from cardiac arrest

IntroductionCardiac arrest commonly results in varying degrees of cognitive injury. Standard outcome measures used in the cardiac arrest cohort do not rigorously evaluate for these injury patterns. We examined the utility of the Computerized Assessment for Mild Cognitive Injury (CAMCI) in cardiac arrest (CA) survivors. We hypothesized that cognitive deficits would be more severe in patients who were comatose on hospital arrival.MethodsProspective cohort of CA survivors at a single tertiary care facility where participants received neurocognitive testing using CAMCI. CAMCI results were subdivided into memory, attention, and executive functions. Scores between subjects who were initially comatose and were not comatose following resuscitation were compared using the Mann–Whitney test.ResultsOf 72 subjects included, the majority (N = 44) were initially comatose following resuscitation with mean age of 54 (±14) years. The majority experienced a good neurologic outcome based on Cerebral Performance Category (N = 47; 66%) and Modified Rankin Scale (N = 38; 53%). Time from resuscitation to CAMCI testing was not associated with total CAMCI score in this cohort (Pearson's r² value −0.1941, p = 0.20). Initially comatose and not comatose subjects did not differ in their CAMCI overall scores (p = 0.33), or in any subtest areas. The not comatose cohort had 1 subtest for which there was a Moderate Risk for mild cognitive impairment (Nonverbal Accuracy), and 2 for which there was a Moderately Low Risk (Verbal Accuracy and Executive Accuracy). The Comatose cohort had 4 subtests, which were deemed Moderately Low Risk for cognitive impairment (Verbal Accuracy, Attention Accuracy, Executive Accuracy and Nonverbal Accuracy).ConclusionsIn-hospital CAMCI testing suggests memory, attention and executive impairment are commonly in patients following resuscitation from cardiac arrest. Outcome evaluations should test for deficits in memory, attention, and executive function.