[Two cases of accidental hypothermia]

Abstract

We report two cases of accidental and moderate hypothermia in drug/addict subjects who came to our attention in coma, shock and respiratory distress, metabolic acidosis and characteristic ECG alterations. We used the methods of minimal invasivity to rewarm them, with good results. The two cases had a different clinical course: the first one presented some important cardiac and respiratory problems, that required 30 days of permanence in our ICU, while the second one had a quick resolution. We believe that the critical time for arrhythmias goes beyond the hypothermic period.