Alternative names
Hypoxic encephalopathy

Definition
The term cerebral hypoxia technically refers to a lack of oxygen supply to the cerebral hemispheres (the outer portion of the brain), but it is more typically used to refer to a lack of oxygen supply to the entire brain.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

There are numerous causes of cerebral hypoxia. These include, but are not limited to:

 
• Drowning  
• Drug overdose  
• Asphyxiation caused by smoke inhalation  
• Very low blood pressure  
• Strangulation  
• Injuries during birth  
• Cardiac arrest (when the heart stops pumping)  
• Carbon monoxide poisoning  
• High altitudes  
• Choking  
• Compression of the trachea  
• Complications of general anasthesia  
• Diseases that paralyze the respiratory muscles

Brain cells are extremely sensitive to oxygen deprivation. Some brain cells actually start dying less than 5 minutes after their oxygen supply is cut. As a result, brain hypoxia can kill or cause severe brain damage rapidly.

This is an emergency condition and the sooner medical attention is given and the oxygen supply restored, the lower the chances of severe brain damage and death.

Symptoms

In mild cases, hypoxia causes only inattentiveness, poor judgment, and motor in-coordination. Severe cases result in a state of complete unawareness and unresponsiveness - brain stem reflexes, including pupillary response to light and breathing reflex, stop.

Only blood pressure and cardiac function are maintained. If this persists, brain death is inevitable.

If the lack of oxygen to the brain is limited to a very brief period of time, coma may be reversible with varying levels of return to function, depending on the extent of injury. Sometimes seizures may occur, which may be continuous (status epilepticus).

Signs and tests

Cerebral hypoxia can usually be deduced from the clinical history and examination. Testing is targeted at determining the cause of the hypoxia. These studies may include:

 
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which provides high-quality pictures of the brain  
• Electrocardiogram (EKG), a test of the electrical activity of the heart  
• Echocardiogram  
• Blood tests, including arterial blood gases and blood sugar  
• Electroencephalogram (EEG), a test of brain waves, needed when seizures are suspected  
• Evoked Potentials, a test that determines whether certain sensations like vision and touch reach the brain, causing an electric response

Treatment

Treatment depends on the underlying cause. Most importantly, basic life-support has to be ensured.

 
• Mechanical ventilation must be used to secure the airway  
• Blood pressure must be supported with fluids, blood products, or medications  
• Heart rate must be controlled  
• Seizures, if they occur, must be treated

If seizures occur, medications are used to suppress them (with variable degree of success), including phenytoin, phenobarbital, valproic acid, and general anesthetics.

Sometimes cooling with blankets (hypothermia) is used, because much of the brain damage in hypoxia is caused by heat. Those who suffer the condition (if it is caused by drowning, for instance) in cold temperatures generally survive longer than those who are affected in higher temperatures.

However, the benefit of this treatment remains to be established. Experimental drugs called neuroprotectants have not shown a significant benefit so far.

Expectations (prognosis)

Prognosis depends on the extent of the hypoxic injury, which is determined by how long the brain was deprived of oxygen. Most people who make a full recovery are unconscious only briefly.

The longer the patient is unconscious, the higher the chances of death or brain death, and the lower the chances of a meaningful recovery.

Complications

Complications of cerebral hypoxia include brain death (prolonged vegetative state) - basic life functions, such as breathing, blood pressure, sleep/wake cycle, and eye opening may be preserved, but there is no consciousness or response to the environment.

Prolonged vegetative state is usually followed by death in less than 1 year, although, rarely, it may last longer. Other complications depend upon the degree of neurologic function and include lung infections (pneumonia), improper nutrition, bed sores, and clots in the veins (deep vein thrombosis).

Calling your health care provider
Cerebral hypoxia is a medical emergency with every moment critical to meaningful survival. Call 911 IMMEDIATELY if someone you are with is losing consciousness or has other symptoms consistent with cerebral hypoxia.

Prevention

Prevention depends on the specific cause of hypoxia. Unfortunately, hypoxia is usually unexpected and grave. This makes this condition somewhat difficult to prevent.

Knowledge of cardiopulmonary resucitation (CPR) maneuvers can be lifesaving, especially when they are started soon after the onset of symptoms.

Medical Encyclopedia

All ArmMed Media material is provided for information only and is neither advice nor a substitute for proper medical care. Consult a qualified healthcare professional who understands your particular history for individual concerns.