Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) After Cardiac Arrest
Cerebral Performance Category (CPC): the standard 5-level classification of neurological outcome after cardiac arrest, used in post-resuscitation care and research. CPC 1–2 is a good neurological outcome. It records outcome; it is not a prognostic score.
Score interpretation
CPC 1–2: conscious and independent in daily life — the conventional good neurological outcome after cardiac arrest.
→ Rehabilitation and follow-up; screen for cognitive, emotional and fatigue problems before discharge (ERC–ESICM 2021).
CPC 3: severe disability; CPC 4: coma or vegetative state; CPC 5: brain death or death.
→ In a comatose patient, prognosticate with the multimodal ERC–ESICM algorithm (examination, EEG, SSEP, NSE, imaging) no earlier than 72 hours after ROSC; goals-of-care discussion with the family.
Interpretation bands for the CPC Scale. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Dexamethasone (Paediatric) · Corticosteroid — Croup / Bacterial Meningitis / Post-Extubation Stridor / Cerebral Oedema
- Amiodarone (IV — ICU/Peri-Arrest) · Antiarrhythmic (Class III)
- Lidocaine IV (Cardiac Arrhythmia) · Antiarrhythmic
- Lisinopril (HFrEF / Post-MI) · ACE Inhibitor / HFrEF
- Colchicine (Pericarditis / Post-MI Inflammation) · Pericarditis / Coronary Inflammation
- Clopidogrel (ACS / Post-PCI) · Antiplatelet / ACS
- Acute Stroke / TIA Assessment · NICE NG128; RCP Stroke Guidelines 2023
- Status Epilepticus (Adults) · NICE CG137; ESEM guidelines; RCP Neurology Guidelines
- Suspected Subarachnoid Haemorrhage · NICE NG228; RCEM 2023; AHA/ASA 2023
- Adult Head Injury · NICE NG232 (2023)
- Bell's Palsy / Facial Nerve Palsy · ENT UK 2017; AAN
- Vertigo Workup · ENT UK; NICE CKS
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.