Therapeutic Hypothermia Is Feasible After Cardiac Arrest

In this single-center study, 96% of patients reached target temperature when a standardized order set was used.

Induced hypothermia is recommended for patients with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) who remain comatose after resuscitation from ventricular fibrillation or asystolic cardiac arrest, but many centers have not adopted the recommendation because of real or perceived logistic challenges. These authors assessed the feasibility of achieving the recommended core temperature of 33°C–34°C after implementation of a standardized order set in the emergency department and intensive care unit (ICU) of a single hospital. An education program was conducted for ED and ICU staff before the order set was implemented. The order set included paralysis with sedation, infusion of up to 1.5 L of 4°C normal saline (at the discretion of the treating physi…

Reviewing Author

Diane M. Birnbaumer, MD, FACEP

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardSecurisyn

Editorial boardsThe Merck Manuals (Home and Physician Editions)

Diane M. Birnbaumer, MD, FACEP

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardSecurisyn

Editorial boardsThe Merck Manuals (Home and Physician Editions)