Clinical applications of induced hypothermia

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below. Key points Induced hypothermia aims to avoid the complicationsassociated with hypothermia. It is principally used in comatosecardiac arrest survivors, head injury, and neonatal encephalopathy. Themechanism of action is thought to be mediated by preventionof cerebral reperfusion injury. The main problems associatedwith its use are diuresis, electrolyte imbalance and immunosuppression. TheInternational Liaison Committee on Resuscitation recommend thatit is used for comatose survivors of VF, out-of-hospital cardiacarrests. Cerebral hypothermia can safely improve intact survivalin term infants with neonatal encephalopathy.   Hypothermia is a well known cause of death, particularly incolder climates; however, it may also be used to preserve life.Defined as a core temperature <35°C, hypothermia as atreatment for medical conditions is not a new practice. AncientGreek physicians used hypothermia for various conditions includinghaemorrhage and trauma. More recent use has centred on its efficacyas a neuroprotective strategy. Therapeutic . . . [Full Text of this Article]