Mild therapeutic hypothermia shortens intensive care unit stay of survivors after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest compared to historical controls

2008

Therapeutic Hypothermia Reduces ICU Stay for Cardiac Arrest Survivors

Sample size: 52 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Storm Christian, Steffen Ingo, Schefold Joerg C, Krueger Anne, Oppert Michael, Jörres Achim, Hasper Dietrich

Primary Institution: Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum

Hypothesis

Does therapeutic hypothermia influence the length of ICU stay and ventilator time in patients surviving out-of-hospital cardiac arrest?

Conclusion

Therapeutic hypothermia significantly shortens ICU stay and mechanical ventilation time in survivors after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Supporting Evidence

Therapeutic hypothermia was associated with a median ICU stay of 14 days compared to 21 days in the control group.
Patients with a lower APACHE II score had shorter ICU stays.
Kaplan-Meier analysis showed improved 1-year survival probability in the hypothermia group.

Takeaway

Cooling down patients after they have a cardiac arrest helps them get better faster and stay in the hospital for less time.

Methodology

A prospective observational study with historical controls comparing 52 patients treated with therapeutic hypothermia to a historical cohort of 74 patients.