The Stepcare Extended Follow-up Substudy aims to find out how well people recover after having a **cardiac arrest**, which is when the heart suddenly stops beating, outside the hospital. It also looks at how taking care of these people affects their caregivers. This study is part of a larger project called STEPCARE that tests different ways to help the brain and body recover, like how much to sedate a person or how to manage their body temperature and blood pressure.
Only certain hospitals in the STEPCARE study can join this extended follow-up. People who survive the cardiac arrest and agree to join can participate. The study will follow them for up to 12 months, checking on their brain function after 6 months. Caregivers will also be asked to participate to see how taking care of someone affects them.
- Participants will have follow-ups at 6 and 12 months.
- Approximately 600 survivors and 600 caregivers will be enrolled.
- There are no extra requirements for joining, just consent from survivors and caregivers.