Modeling and investigating neuroinflammation in cardiopulmonary resuscitation in pigs

The survival rates in patients suffering from cardiac arrest are still low, and the percentage of poor neurological outcomes remains high. When return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) is achieved, post-cardiac arrest brain injury (PCABI) and hypoxic ischemic brain injury (HIBI) occur. HIBI is part of a cascade that culminates in secondary brain injury and neuronal cell death. Histopathologic HIBI evaluation is not standardized yet. This book chapter gives an overview of the possibilities to perform resuscitation in large animal trials and evaluate neuroinflammation and HIBI in pigs after achieving ROSC. The porcine cardiac arrest model combines several advantages and is a good surrogate for cardiac arrest research.