REVIEW article
Front. Med.
Sec. Intensive Care Medicine and Anesthesiology
Advances in Basic Research on Post-Cardiac Arrest Syndrome in Adults: A Comprehensive Review
Rui Liu 1
Junlong Wang 2
1. The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
2. Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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Abstract
Post-cardiac arrest syndrome (PCAS) represents a critical systemic ischemia-reperfusion injury occurring after the return of spontaneous circulation in patients who have experienced cardiac arrest. This syndrome encompasses multiple organ dysfunctions and involves complex pathophysiological mechanisms that remain incompletely understood. Despite advances in clinical management, high morbidity and mortality rates persist, underscoring the urgent need for deeper mechanistic insights and novel therapeutic strategies. Current basic research has increasingly focused on elucidating the cellular and molecular alterations underpinning PCAS, including oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and systemic inflammatory responses. Animal models have been instrumental in mimicking the human condition, enabling the exploration of potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. This review systematically summarizes recent progress in the fundamental research of PCAS, highlighting key findings related to its pathophysiology, molecular signaling pathways, and experimental interventions. By integrating these insights, this article aims to provide a comprehensive theoretical foundation to guide future translational research and improve clinical outcomes in PCAS management.
Summary
Keywords
biomarkers, ischemia-reperfusion injury, Mitochondrial dysfunction, Oxidativestress, Post-cardiac arrest syndrome, Systemic inflammatory response
Received
18 December 2025
Accepted
11 February 2026
Copyright
© 2026 Liu and Wang. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Junlong Wang
Disclaimer
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