MYOCLONIC JERKS secondary to POST-CARDIAC ARREST CEREBRAL HYPOXIA

This patient suffered “out of hospital” cardiac arrest. Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was done for about 30 minutes, after which cardiac rhythm was restored. Patient remained comatose after resuscitation. He was on life supports including mechanical ventilation and multiple inotropes. He had frequent myoclonic jerks. Note that the myoclonic jerks are asymmetric, affecting mainly the left half of the body. Asymmetric occurrence of myoclonus in hypoxic brain injury is unusual. Sodium valproate and levetiracetam are commonly used to control these myoclonic jerks. Intravenous piracetam is also given in cases of hypoxic-ischemic injury of brain.