Accidental hypothermia-an update : The content of this review is endorsed by the International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine (ICAR MEDCOM).

Paal, Peter; Gordon, Les; Strapazzon, Giacomo; Brodmann Maeder, Monika; Putzer, Gabriel; Walpoth, Beat; Wanscher, Michael; Brown, Doug; Holzer, Michael; Broessner, Gregor; Brugger, Hermann (2016). Accidental hypothermia-an update : The content of this review is endorsed by the International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine (ICAR MEDCOM). Scandinavian journal of trauma, resuscitation and emergency medicine, 24(1), p. 111. BioMed Central 10.1186/s13049-016-0303-7

[img]
Preview
Text
art_10.1186_s13049-016-0303-7.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons: Attribution (CC-BY).

Download (1MB) | Preview

BACKGROUND

This paper provides an up-to-date review of the management and outcome of accidental hypothermia patients with and without cardiac arrest.

METHODS

The authors reviewed the relevant literature in their specialist field. Summaries were merged, discussed and approved to produce this narrative review.

RESULTS

The hospital use of minimally-invasive rewarming for non-arrested, 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 revolutionised the management of hypothermic cardiac arrest, with survival rates approaching 100 % in some cases. Hypothermic patients with risk factors for imminent cardiac arrest (temperature <28 °C, ventricular arrhythmia, systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg), and those who have already arrested, should be transferred directly to an ECLS-centre. Cardiac arrest patients should receive continuous cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during transfer. If prolonged transport is required or terrain is difficult, mechanical CPR can be helpful. Delayed or intermittent CPR may be appropriate in hypothermic arrest when continuous CPR is impossible. Modern post-resuscitation care should be implemented following hypothermic arrest. Structured protocols should be in place to optimise pre-hospital triage, transport and treatment as well as in-hospital management, including detailed criteria and protocols for the use of ECLS and post-resuscitation care.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on new evidence, additional clinical experience and clearer management guidelines and documentation, the treatment of accidental hypothermia has been refined. ECLS has substantially improved survival and is the treatment of choice in the patient with unstable circulation or cardiac arrest.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Review Article)

Division/Institute:

04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of Intensive Care, Emergency Medicine and Anaesthesiology (DINA) > University Emergency Center

UniBE Contributor:

Brodmann Mäder, Monika Maria

Subjects:

600 Technology > 610 Medicine & health

ISSN:

1757-7241

Publisher:

BioMed Central

Language:

English

Submitter:

Romana Saredi

Date Deposited:

10 May 2017 17:01

Last Modified:

05 Dec 2022 15:02

Publisher DOI:

10.1186/s13049-016-0303-7

PubMed ID:

27633781

Uncontrolled Keywords:

Cardiopulmonary bypass; Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; Emergency medicine; Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; Hypothermia; Resuscitation

BORIS DOI:

10.7892/boris.94961

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/94961

Actions (login required)

Edit item Edit item
Provide Feedback