Mild Hypothermia During Cardiac Arrest Resuscitation
Author Information
Author(s): Cédric Bruel, Jean-Jacques Parienti, William Marie, Xavier Arrot, Cédric Daubin, Damien Du Cheyron, Massimo Massetti, Pierre Charbonneau
Primary Institution: Caen University Hospital
Hypothesis
Can mild hypothermia induced by cold saline infusion during advanced life support improve outcomes in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients?
Conclusion
Prehospital induction of therapeutic hypothermia using infusion of 2 l of 4°C normal saline during advanced life support was feasible, effective, and safe.
Supporting Evidence
- Mild hypothermia was achieved after a median of 16 minutes after return of spontaneous circulation.
- The only observed adverse event was pulmonary oedema in one patient.
- Twenty of the 33 patients were successfully resuscitated.
Takeaway
Giving cold saline to patients who have had a cardiac arrest can help cool their bodies down quickly and safely, which might help their brains.
Methodology
This was a prospective, observational, multicenter clinical trial conducted in Emergency Medical Services units and a medical intensive care unit.
Limitations
There was no control group for comparison.
Participant Demographics
Patients aged 18 to 70 years suffering nontraumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.0001
Confidence Interval
32.3°C to 34.3°C
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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