Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is a procedure
endorsed by the American Heart Association.
It is considered an important therapy for a
survivor of cardiac arrest—someone
whose heart stopped beating, was
restarted during cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR), and remains
minimally responsive immediately after
the event. It is performed by lowering
the body temperature to 32-34ºC
(approximately 90 to 93ºF). Normal body
temperature is 98.6º F or 37ºC.
How Does Hypothermia Help?
Hypothermia works by protecting the brain
and other vital organs. It lowers oxygen
requirements, decreases swelling, and
limits the release of toxins, which can
cause cells to die. It has been shown to
improve neurological outcomes and
increase survival in patients who remain in
a coma after successful CPR.
What are the Risks to Cooling?
There are few risks associated with mild
hypothermia. On the other hand, this therapy
offers important benefits to survival and
neurological recovery. Patients under
hypothermia are monitored closely by the
health care team in the McLeod Coronary
Care Unit (CCU).
How is Hypothermia initiated and maintained?
The equipment for hypothermia involves a special
cooling vest, blanket and cap to completely cover the
patient. These components are hooked up to a
machine that circulates cold water through the cooling
equipment to lower the body temperature down to
thirty-three degrees Celsius. The body is kept at this
temperature for 24 hours; then it is gradually warmed
back up to normal.
When Should Cooling Begin and How
Long Will it Last?
Cooling should began as soon as possible
after a cardiac arrest. The therapy will be continued for
approximately 24 hours. The patient is then
re-warmed slowly until the body temperature returns to
normal (37°C).
Recovery:
Recovery occurs on an individual basis.
Some patients wake up very quickly after
the re-warming is complete. Some patients
may take longer. Once a patient is removed
from hypothermia, a definitive determination
whether the procedure was a success cannot
be made for 72 hours.
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