Survival after a heart attack with subsequent cardiac arrest: a 1-year patient case report

• Published in: Bulletin of Faculty of Physical Therapy (Online) Vol. 28; no. 1; pp. 32 - 4
• Main Authors: Alexander, Joseph Oliver Raj, Pattnaik, Aparna
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.12.2023; Springer Nature B.V; SpringerOpen
• Subjects: Angioplasty; Cardiac arrest; Case Report; Case reports; Ejection fraction; Electrocardiography; Heart attack; Heart attacks; Heart failure; IABP — intra-aortic balloon pump; ICD — implantable cardioverter defibrillator; Lifestyles; Medical prognosis; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Mortality; Orthopedics; Rehabilitation; Stenting; Veins & arteries; Ventilators; Heart failure; Physiotherapy rehabilitation; Cardiac arrest; IABP — intra-aortic balloon pump; Stenting; Heart attack; ICD — implantable cardioverter defibrillator
• ISSN: 2536-9660; 1110-6611; 2536-9660
• DOI: 10.1186/s43161-023-00144-9

Background Cardiac events have become a common occurrence worldwide and especially in India, more so after the coronavirus disease (COVID) pandemic. Apparently healthy and young individuals suffering from cardiac disorders are on the rise. In most cases, there is no clearly established cause/risk factor for the cardiac disorder. Once someone has suffered a cardiac event, the rehabilitation team is expected to keep a constant watch on the prognosis and any complications that might arise, especially during the first year after the cardiac event. Case presentation This case report describes the sequence of events that occurred in a 44-year-old male patient who had a heart attack, survived a cardiac arrest, was implanted with a cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), and was on rehabilitation. The report throws some insights into what happened with this patient since his heart attack, and it also discusses the possible signs that could have helped identify the cardiac event before the actual occurrence. Conclusion The rehabilitation post heart attack, angioplasty, and cardiac implants have to be individualized and tailor-made. Appropriate alterations to the rehabilitation would give the necessary direction to achieve maximum recovery and well-being of the patient. Constantly watching for any complications that might arise and addressing them immediately are vital to the prognosis. Physiotherapy rehabilitation plays a major role in giving a positive reinforcement and better prognosis.