Prediction of neurological outcomes shortly after cardiac arrest

Prediction of neurological outcomes shortly after cardiac arrest would represent a major breakthrough. We tested the ability of gene expression profiles of blood cells to predict outcome in cardiac arrest patients. 35 consecutive cardiac arrest patients treated with therapeutic hypothermia (33°C for 24h) were included in this prospective monocentre study. Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) was determined at discharge and 6 months later. All patients had blood sampling at the end of hypothermia. Gene expression profiles of blood cells were determined using 25,000~gene microarray in two groups of patients: good outcome (CPC 1-2) and bad outcome (CPC 3-5).