The primary outcome is serum concentration of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) at 48 h after cardiac arrest. Feasibility outcome is between-group separation in PaO2, PaCO2 and MAP levels. Secondary outcomes include continuous monitoring of cerebral oxygenation, EEG and ECG for 48 h, the levels of NSE, S100B and cardiac troponin at randomization and 24, 48 and 72 h after cardiac arrest and neurological assessment at 6 months after cardiac arrest.