Movement disorders after resuscitation from cardiac arrest

Movement disorders are a rare, but often debilitating, occurrence after cardiac arrest. This article discusses the clinical manifestations of several movement disorders, including myoclonus, dystonia, and parkinsonism, that can develop in survivors of cardiac arrest who have sustained significant cerebral hypoxia. It also describes the proposed pathophysiology of these disorders, based on data from animal models' electrophysiologic studies, and neuroimaging. Additionally, it discusses treatments for these conditions and highlights future avenues of investigation.