Hypothermia after cardiac arrest: a treatment that works

Abstract

Purpose of review: Sudden death from cardiac arrest is a major health problem that still receives too little publicity. Current therapy after cardiac arrest concentrates on resuscitation efforts because, until now, no specific therapy for brain protection after restoration of spontaneous circulation was available. Therapeutic mild or moderate resuscitative hypothermia is a novel therapy with multifaceted chemical and physical effects by preventing or mitigating the derangements seen in the postresuscitation syndrome.

Recent findings and summary: In 2002, two prospective, randomized studies reported improved outcomes when deliberate hypothermia was induced in comatose survivors after resuscitation from cardiac arrest. However, several issues with regard to resuscitative cooling are still unanswered and should be studied further. These include the optimal timing to initiate cooling, the optimal cooling period, the optimal temperature level, and rewarming strategy. Even important questions, such as which cooling technique will be available in the near future that would combine ease of use with high efficacy, are not answered yet.