posthypoxic myoclonus (Lance-Adams syndrome)

Etiology

• cardiac arrest
  • delayed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (2 minutes)

Pathology

• cerebral cortex becomes hyperexcitable after hypoxic or anoxic injury

Clinical manifestations

• powerful, shock-like muscle jerks
• activation of symptoms with activity or other stimulus
• sudden lapse of sustained posture (negative myoclonus) or asterixis
  • may result in inability to walk

Management

• anticonvulsants:
  • suboptimal response to therapy
  • agents
    • valproic acid
    • levetiracetam
    • clonazepam
• prognosis: poor

More general terms

• myoclonus