INTRODUCTION In the post cardiac arrest syndrome the consequences of cerebral hypoxia depend both on the length and conduction of CPR; sometimes a lengthy but well conducted CPR can give satisfying results.CASE REPORT A 38 years old puerperant was admitted to ICU with diagnosis of post hypoxic coma. The patient, during expulsive stage of her labour, developed acute pulmonary edema rapidly followed by asistolic cardiac arrest. CPR was carried out for 45 minutes before valid, autonomous cardiac activity was resumed. In ICU the patient, artificially ventilated, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS): 3, on elettroencephalogram (EEG) presented a slow, monotonous, and areactive picture, expression of deep coma. On the 7th day, GCS 6 and EEG unchanged. On the 24th day GCS was 8; on EEG persisted in their very low voltage with modifications to stimuli. Respiratory weaning was completed on the 31st day and the patient was transferred to a neurological division. At the present, three months after the event, the patient is lucid, orientated in space and time, and presents dysarthria, hypertone of the upper limbs with distonic posture. Still undergoing a programme of rehabilitation she seems improving.DISCUSSION: The EEG evaluation in the early phase of post-arrest syndrome has shown to be misleading compared to the successive unespected satisfying evolution; the current 30 minute limit for CPR can be exceeded both in arrest, in ventricular fibrillation and in asistolia, as long as there is a rapid down time and correct CPR movements are carried out.