Accidental hypothermia

Abstract

Accidental hypothermia causes profound changes to the body's physiology. After an initial burst of agitation (e.g., 36-37°C), vital functions will slow down with further cooling, until they vanish (e.g. <20-25°C). Thus, a deeply hypothermic person may appear dead, but may still be able to be resuscitated if treated correctly. The hospital use of minimally invasive rewarming for nonarrested, otherwise healthy patients with primary hypothermia and stable vital signs has the potential to substantially decrease morbidity and mortality for these patients. Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) has revolutionized the management of hypothermic cardiac arrest, with survival rates approaching 100%. Hypothermic patients with risk factors for imminent cardiac arrest (i.e., temperature <28°C, ventricular arrhythmia, systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg), and those who have already arrested, should be transferred directly to an ECLS center. Cardiac arrest patients should receive continuous cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during transfer. If prolonged transport is required or terrain is difficult, mechanic CPR can be helpful. Intermittent CPR may be appropriate in hypothermic arrest when continuous CPR is impossible. Modern postresuscitation care should be implemented following hypothermic arrest. Structured protocols should be in place to optimize prehospital triage, transport, and treatment as well as in-hospital management, including detailed criteria and protocols for the use of ECLS and postresuscitation care.

Keywords: accidental hypothermia; avalanche; cardiopulmonary bypass; cardiopulmonary resuscitation; cooling; emergency medicine; extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; intensive care medicine; rewarming; trauma.