The Canadian journal of cardiology
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Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) carries an enormous global burden of mortality and morbidity. The post-cardiac arrest syndrome consists of complex pathophysiological changes that result in hypoxic brain injury, myocardial and peripheral organ dysfunction, and the systemic ischemia-reperfusion response. ⋯ Similarly, early invasive coronary angiography is particularly beneficial when there is ST-elevation on the post-resuscitation electrocardiogram, but might be considered in the absence of ST-elevation if there is no noncardiac cause to explain the OHCA. However, there remain a large number of unanswered questions that require ongoing research.