Lapses of the Heart: Frequency and Subjective Salience of Impressions Reported by Patients after Cardiac Arrest.

After cardiac arrest, some patients report highly realistic impressions, often called near-death experiences. In a prospective study of 126 cardiac arrest cases at the Medical University of Vienna, most subjects (76%) reported 'nothing' or 'blackout,' but 20 (16%) gave a detailed account. Five patients (4%) scored 7 or more points on the Greyson questionnaire for near-death phenomena. Three patients reported meeting deceased relatives, one an out-of-body episode, and one being sucked into a colorful tunnel. Eleven of the twenty patients with experiences had cardiopulmonary resuscitation started within the first minute of cardiac arrest, a higher fraction than those without experiences. The reported experience was highly significant for patients, many changing their views on life and death.

Study at a glance

Abstract

After cardiac arrest (CA), some patients report impressions with highly realistic features, often referred to as near-death experience (NDE). The frequency of such episodes seems to be variable, with various types of content. In a prospective study, we subjected 126 CA cases treated at the Department of Emergency Medicine of the Medical University of Vienna under carefully controlled conditions to a structured interview. We included all patients admitted due to CA, whose communicative abilities were restored and who agreed to participate in the study. The questionnaire inquired as to living conditions, attitudes towards issues of life and death, and last recollections before and first impressions after the CA. The majority of the subjects (91 = 76%) replied to inquiries concerning impressions during CA with "nothing" or "blackout", but 20 (16%) gave a detailed account. A German version of the Greyson questionnaire specifically addressing NDE phenomena (included towards the end of the interview) resulted in ≥7 points in five patients (4%). Three patients reported a meeting with deceased relatives (one with 6 Greyson points), one an out-of-body episode, and one having been sucked into a colorful tunnel. Eleven of these twenty cases had their cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) started within the first min of CA, a higher fraction than cases without experience. Reported experience after CA was of high significance for the patients; many of them changed their point of view on issues of life and death.