Comparison of forced-air warming systems in prevention of intraoperative hypothermia

In this study, we aimed to compare the effects of forced-air warming upper body blankets and forced-air warming underbody blankets on intraoperative hypothermia in patients who were planned to undergo open abdominal surgical operations in which extensive heat loss occurs. This prospective and randomized study included 92 patients who would undergo lower abdominal surgery under general anesthesia. Patients were randomized by closed envelope method and divided into two groups. Group I (n:46) included the patients who would receive warming with forced-air warming upper body blanket, and Group II (n:46) consisted of the patients who received warming with forced-air warming underbody blanket. Central body temperature was recorded by measuring with a temperature probe placed in distal esophagus. Demographic data, amount of fentanyl, crystalloid and blood products used, duration of operation, type of operation, hemodynamic parameters, shivering and thermal damage information were recorded. There was not any statistically significant difference among the patients in terms of demographic data, amount of fentanyl, crystalloid and blood products used, duration and type of operation and hemodynamic parameters. No difference was found between the groups in terms of body temperatures (Group I:36.1?°C, Group II:36.3?°C, respectively) (P?>?0.05). Forced air warming underbody blanket can be as effective as forced-air warming upper body blankets in preventing intraoperative hypothermia. They can be alternative in cases where use of forced-air warming upper body blankets is not feasible.     

术前联合术中保暖避免全麻手术低体温发生

目的观察术中保暖联合或不联合术前1 h保暖,对全麻手术患者术中和术后低体温的影响。方法收集30例美国麻醉师协会(ASA)分级I～Ⅱ级女性择期腹部手术常规全身麻醉患者。10例不给于保暖措施(G1组);10例术前1 h联合术中保暖(G2组);10例仅术中保暖(G3组)。各组患者每30 min记录体温一次。结果 G2组患者手术2 h内体表和核心体均温高于G1组,其术中90 min和120 min核心体温高于G3组(P<0.05)。G2和G3组术后拔管较早且无寒颤反应;G1组手术结束时体温较低且5例患者发生寒颤。结论术前1 h联合术中保暖能避免全麻手术术中和术后低体温、寒颤发生,给拔管提供良好条件。     

Nonpharmacologic approach to minimizing shivering during surface cooling: A proof of principle study

Purpose

This study had 2 objectives: (1) to quantify the metabolic response to physical cooling in febrile patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and (2) to provide proof for the hypothesis that the efficiency of external cooling and the subsequent shivering response are influenced by site and temperature of surface cooling pads.

Methods

To quantify shivering thermogenesis during surface cooling for fever, we monitored oxygen consumption (VO₂) in 6 febrile patients with SIRS during conventional cooling with cooling blankets and ice packs. To begin to determine how location and temperature of surface cooling influence shivering, we compared 5 cooling protocols for inducing mild hypothermia in 6 healthy volunteers.

Results

In the patients with SIRS, core temperature decreased 0.67°C per hour, all patients shivered, VO₂ increased 57.6%, and blood pressure increased 15% during cooling. In healthy subjects, cooling with the 10°C vest was most comfortable and removed heat most efficiently without shivering or VO₂ increase. Cooling with combined vest and thigh pads stimulated the most shivering and highest VO₂ and increased core temperature. Reducing vest temperature from 10°C to 5°C failed to increase heat removal secondary to cutaneous vasoconstriction. Capsaicin, an agonist for the transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1) warm-sensing channels, partially reversed this effect in 5 subjects.

Conclusions

Our results identify the hazards of surface cooling in febrile critically ill patients and support the concept that optimization of cooling pad temperature and position may improve cooling efficiency and reduce shivering.     

The occurrence of shivering in cardiac arrest survivors undergoing therapeutic hypothermia is associated with a good neurologic outcome

Background

The incidence of shivering in cardiac arrest survivors who undergo therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is varied. Its occurrence is dependent on the integrity of multiple peripheral and central neurologic pathways. We hypothesized that cardiac arrest survivors who develop shivering while undergoing TH are more likely to have intact central neurologic pathways and thus have better neurologic outcome as compared to those who do not develop shivering during TH.

Methods

Prospectively collected data on consecutive adult patients admitted to a tertiary center from 1/1/2007 to 11/1/2010 that survived a cardiac arrest and underwent TH were retrospectively analyzed. Patients who developed shivering during the cooling phase of TH formed the “shivering” group and those that did not formed the “non-shivering” group. The primary end-point: Pittsburgh Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) scale; good (CPC 1–2) or poor (CPC 3–5) neurological outcome prior to discharge from hospital.

Results

Of the 129 cardiac arrest survivors who underwent TH, 34/94 (36%) patients in the “non-shivering” group as compared to 21/35 (60%) patients in the “shivering” group had good neurologic outcome (P = 0.02). After adjusting for confounders using binary logistic regression, occurrence of shivering (OR: 2.71, 95% CI 1.099–7.41, P = 0.04), time to return of spontaneous circulation (OR: 0.96, 95% CI 0.93–0.98, P = 0.004) and initial presenting rhythm (OR: 4.0, 95% CI 1.63–10.0, P = 0.002) were independent predictors of neurologic outcome.

Conclusion

The occurrence of shivering in cardiac arrest survivors who undergo TH is associated with an increased likelihood of good neurologic outcome as compared to its absence.     

Induction,maintenance, and reversal of therapeutic hypothermia with an esophageal heat transfer device

Aim of the study

To evaluate a novel esophageal heat transfer device for use in inducing, maintaining, and reversing hypothermia. We hypothesized that this device could successfully induce, maintain (within a 1 °C range of goal temperature), and reverse, mild therapeutic hypothermia in a large animal model over a 30-h treatment protocol.

Methods

Five female Yorkshire swine, weighing a mean of 65 kg (range 61–70) kg each, were anesthetized with inhalational isoflurane via endotracheal intubation and instrumented. The esophageal device was connected to an external chiller and then placed into the esophagus and connected to wall suction. Reduction to goal temperature was achieved by setting the chiller to cooling mode, and a 24 h cooling protocol was completed before rewarming and recovering the animals. Histopathologic analysis was scheduled for 3–14 days after protocol completion.

Results

Average baseline temperature for the 5 animals was 38.6 °C (range 38.1–39.2 °C). All swine were cooled successfully, with average rate of temperature decrease of 1.3 °C/h (range 1.1–1.9) °C/h. Standard deviation from goal temperature averaged 0.2 °C throughout the steady-state maintenance phase, and no treatment for shivering was necessary during the protocol. Histopathology of esophageal tissue showed no adverse effects from the device.

Conclusion

A new esophageal heat transfer device successfully and safely induced, maintained, and reversed therapeutic hypothermia in large swine. Goal temperature was maintained within a narrow range, and thermogenic shivering did not occur. These findings suggest a useful new modality to induce therapeutic hypothermia.     

Hypothermia attenuates the severity of oxidative stress development in asphyxiated newborns

Purpose

This retrospective case-control study aimed to examine the development of oxidative stress in asphyxiated infants delivered at more than 37 weeks of gestation.

Material and Methods

Thirty-seven neonates were stratified into 3 groups: the first group experienced hypothermia (n = 6); the second received hypothermia cooling cup treatment for 3 days, normothermia (n = 16); and the third was the control group (n = 15).Serum total hydroperoxide (TH), biological antioxidant potential, and oxidative stress index (OSI) (calculated as TH/biological antioxidant potential) were measured within 3 hours after birth.

Results

Serum TH and OSI levels gradually increased after birth in hypothermia and normothermia cases. At all time points, serum TH and OSI levels were higher in hypothermia and normothermia cases than in control cases. Serum TH and OSI levels were higher in normothermia cases than in hypothermia cases at days 3, 5, and 7.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that hypothermia attenuated the development of systemic oxidative stress in asphyxiated newborns.     

Effect of intraoperative dobutamine on splanchnic tissue perfusion and outcome after Whipple surgery

Purpose

Splanchnic hypoperfusion during abdominal surgery contributes to postoperative gut sepsis and mortality. Dobutamine is an inotrope with vasodilator properties that improve hepatosplanchnic perfusion. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of intraoperative dobutamine infusion during Whipple surgery on splanchnic perfusion, hemodynamic, and overall postoperative outcome.

Methods

Sixty patients were randomly allocated to receive intraoperatively (3 μg/kg per minute or 5 μg/kg per minute) doses of dobutamine or saline. Baseline measurements included hemodynamic parameters, gastric tonometric parameters, and arterial and mixed venous gases. These patients had a follow-up for development for in-hospital morbidity and mortality.

Results

Intraoperative use of dobutamine increased oxygen-derived parameters as evidenced by increased mixed venous oxygen saturation. Tonometered gastric mucosal pH, a surrogate for splanchnic perfusion, increased in patients who received intraoperative dobutamine. Patients in the dobutamine groups demonstrated significant higher heart rates, premature ventricular contraction arrhythmias, and electrocardiographic signs of ischemia. Mean arterial blood pressure demonstrated no significant difference among groups. The overall incidence of postoperative complications was higher in control group 70 % vs 20% to 40% in dobutamine groups.

Conclusion

Intraoperative use of dobutamine improved global oxygen delivery, splanchnic perfusion, and postoperative outcome after Whipple surgery. These findings may be of clinical importance when the therapeutic goal is to improve gut perfusion.     

Moderate hypothermia for severe cardiogenic shock (COOL Shock Study I & II)

Aim of the study

Hypothermia exerts profound protection from neurological damage and death after resuscitation from circulatory arrest. Its application during concomitant cardiogenic shock has been discussed controversially, and still hypothermia is used with reserve when haemodynamic parameters are impaired. On the other hand hypothermia improves force development in isolated human myocardium. Thus, we hypothesized that hypothermia could beneficially affect cardiac function in patients during cardiogenic shock.

Methods

14 Patients, admitted to Intensive Care Unit for cardiogenic shock under inotropic support, were enrolled and moderate hypothermia (33 °C) was induced for either one (n = 5, short-term) or twenty-four (n = 9, mid-term) hours.

Results

12 patients suffered from ischaemic cardiomyopathy, 2 were female, and 6 were included after cardiac arrest and resuscitation. Body temperature was controlled by an intravascular cooling device. Short-term hypothermia consistently decreased heart rate, and increased stroke volume, cardiac index and cardiac power output. Metabolic and electrocardiographic parameters remained constant during cooling. Improved cardiac function persisted during mid-term hypothermia, but was reversed during re-warming. No severe or persistent adverse effects of hypothermia were observed.

Conclusion

Moderate Hypothermia is safe and feasable in patients during cardiogenic shock. Moreover, hypothermia improved parameters of cardiac function, suggesting that hypothermia might be considered as a positive inotropic intervention rather than a risk for patients during cardiogenic shock.     

术中保温对老年开胸患者生命体征的影响

目的 观察术中保温对老年开胸患者生命体征的影响.方法 将60例行开胸手术老年患者随机分为保温组和对照组,每组30例.保温组患者术中控制室温22～24℃,输入的液体加温至37 ℃,并选用加温至37℃的灌洗液进行胸腔冲洗;对照组患者术中仅控制室温,不采用任何保温措施.测定术前及术后核心体温,比较两组患者围手术期的收缩压、心率、体温变化和寒战发生情况.结果 保温组患者术中体温维持稳定,手术前后体温、收缩压、心率、无明显变化,在人室时、消毒时和手术中1 h及手术结束前差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);对照组患者与术前及保温组比较,术中体温显著下降,收缩压、心率波动明显(P<0.01);而保温组低温(<36℃和<35℃)、寒战发生率显著低于对照组(P<0.01).结论 老年开胸患者术中保温可维持患者体温的稳定,有效预防术中低温和寒战的发生.     

Therapeutic hypothermia for comatose survivors after near-hanging—A retrospective analysis

Background

Patients who survive after suicidal hanging attempts suffer from transient brain ischaemia. Morbidity and mortality is high, and no specific therapy is available. Hypothermia attenuates ischaemic brain damage and has become standard care in comatose survivors of cardiac arrest; therapeutic hypothermia may thus be useful for near-hanging victims as well.

Objectives

To perform a literature review on outcome and outcome predictors after near-hanging. To make a retrospective chart review on treatment and outcome of near-hanging victims in two Swedish intensive care units during a 4-year period (2003–2006).

Methods

The literature review was conducted as a Medline search. Study patients were identified and data retrieved from the intensive care units’ medical records. The primary outcome measure was neurological function at discharge.

Results

No randomised, controlled trials were found in the Medline search. Thirteen patients could be identified and were included in the study, all were in coma and three had suffered cardiac arrest. Outcome was good in six of eight patients treated with hypothermia, as compared to three of five patients who were not. All three patients with cardiac arrest received hypothermia treatment and outcome was good in one.

Conclusion

No randomised, controlled trial for treatment of near-hanging victims has been published. No conclusions could be drawn regarding treatment effects of hypothermia in this survey, but in the absence of better evidence, it seems reasonable to consider hypothermia treatment in all comatose near-hanging victims.     

Therapeutic hypothermia induction via an esophageal route--a computer simulation

Objectives

Mild therapeutic hypothermia has been shown to improve outcomes after adult cardiac arrest but remains underused. Development of easier methods than currently exist to induce therapeutic hypothermia may help increase use of this treatment. We developed a mathematical model to evaluate the potential to induce mild therapeutic hypothermia through the esophagus.

Methods

Using a finite element mathematical modeling software package incorporating Pennes Bioheat equation, we predicted the changes in body temperature that would occur with placement of an esophageal cooling device containing recirculating chilled water at 10°C.

Results

Patient temperature under the simulated conditions decreased from 37°C to 33°C in approximately 40 minutes. Distribution of body temperature was not uniform in our model, with the skin surface and extremities showing a greater temperature decrease than in the patient's core.

Conclusions

Our computer simulations suggest that inducing mild therapeutic hypothermia via an esophageal route is feasible.     

The role of autonomic nervous system function in hypothermia-mediated sepsis protection

Objective

The objective of this study is to determine whether hypothermia will lessen decreases in heart rate variability and improve outcome in a rat model of sepsis.

Methods

Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into 3 groups: control, low sepsis, and high sepsis groups. These groups were each subdivided into a normothermia (37°C) (n = 6) and a hypothermia group (34°C) (n = 6). Cyclophosphamide (100 mg/kg) was administered 5 days before Staphylococcus aureus injection to produce conditions in which sepsis could be induced reliably. Hypothermic rats received temperature reduction for 1 hour post injection. Electrocardiogram was recorded before, after, and 1 day after staphylococcal injection, and the low frequency, high frequency (HF), and LF/HF ratio measurements of heart rate variability and the frequencies of arrhythmia were recorded. The effects of time, sepsis severity, and hypothermia on these variables were analyzed using a multivariate generalized estimation equation mode.

Results

Four deaths occurred in the normothermic group, and none, in the hypothermic group. Sepsis of both low and high severity increased low frequency and HF 1 day after sepsis induction. Hypothermia significantly decreased HF in low, but not high sepsis severity.

Conclusions

Hypothermia decreased mortality in septic rats. The influence of hypothermia on HF depended on the severity of the sepsis.     

Effects of hypothermia on brain injury assessed by magnetic resonance imaging after cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a porcine model of cardiac arrest

Objective

To evaluate the effects of hypothermia on cerebral edema and metabolism, a porcine model of cardiac arrest was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging during the first 72 hours after restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC).

Methods

Ventricular fibrillation was induced in 33 pigs. After 8 minutes of untreated ventricular fibrillation, 30:2 cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed. After ROSC, 30 survival animals were randomly divided into normothermia group (n = 15) and hypothermia group (n = 15). The hypothermia group immediately received endovascular cooling to regulate temperature to 33°C, which was maintained for 12 hours, followed by passive rewarming at 0.5°C/h to 37°C. Diffusion-weighted imaging and ¹hydrogen proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy were acquired for each group at 6, 12, 24, and 72 hours after ROSC.

Results

Compared with the normothermia group, the hypothermia group exhibited a higher 72-hour survival (73.3% vs. 33.3%, P = .028) and a superior neurological deficit score (P = .031). Cerebral injury was found in both groups, but a lesser decrease in the apparent diffusion coefficient and N-acetyl aspartate/creatinine (P < .05) and a greater increase in choline/creatinine (P < .05) were found in the hypothermia group.

Conclusions

Magnetic resonance imaging could effectively detect the dynamic trend of cerebral injury in a porcine model of cardiac arrest within the first 72 hours after ROSC. Hypothermia produced a protective effect on neurological function by reducing brain edema and formation of adverse metabolites.     

Trauma Airway Management: Transition from Anesthesia to Emergency Medicine

Background

Trauma airway management is commonly performed by either anesthesiologists or Emergency Physicians (EPs).

Objective

Our aim was to evaluate the impact of switching from one group of providers to the other, focusing on outcomes and complications.

Methods

Medical records were used to identify all patients during a 3-year period who were intubated emergently after traumatic injury. Before November 1, 2007, airway management was supervised by anesthesiologists, after that date airways were supervised by EPs. Complications evaluated included failure to obtain a secure airway, multiple attempts at airway placement, new or worsening hypoxia or hypotension during the peri-intubation period, bronchial intubations, dysrhythmia, aspiration with development of infiltrate on chest x-ray study within 48 h, and facial trauma.

Results

Of the 490 tracheal intubations, 250 were attended by EPs and 240 were attended by anesthesiologists. The groups were well matched with respect to age and sex, but the EP group treated more severely injured patients on average. Intubation was accomplished in one attempt 98.3% of the time in the anesthesia group; those requiring multiple attempts went on to need surgical airways 2.1% of the time. EPs accomplished intubation in one attempt 98.4% of the time, with an overall success rate of 96.8%; surgical airways were needed in 3.2% of patients. The complication rate was 18.3% for the anesthesia group and 18% for the EP group. There were no statistically significant differences between the EP and anesthesia groups with regard to complication rates, although the EP patients had a higher Injury Severity Score on average.

Conclusions

EPs can safely manage the airways of trauma patients with rates of complication and failure comparable with those of anesthesiologists.     

Cervical spine injury biomechanics: Applications for under body blast loadings in military environments

Background

While cervical spine injury biomechanics reviews in motor vehicle and sports environments are available, there is a paucity of studies in military loadings. This article presents an analysis on the biomechanics and applications of cervical spine injury research with an emphasis on human tolerance for underbody blast loadings in the military.

Methods

Following a brief review of published military studies on the occurrence and identification of field trauma, postmortem human subject investigations are described using whole body, intact head–neck complex, osteo-ligamentous cervical spine with head, subaxial cervical column, and isolated segments subjected to differing types of dynamic loadings (electrohydraulic and pendulum impact devices, free-fall drops).

Findings

Spine injuries have shown an increasing trend over the years, explosive devices are one of the primary causal agents and trauma is attributed to vertical loads. Injuries, mechanisms and tolerances are discussed under these loads. Probability-based injury risk curves are included based on loading rate, direction and age.

Interpretation

A unique advantage of human cadaver tests is the ability to obtain fundamental data to delineate injury biomechanics and establish human tolerance and injury criteria. Definitions of tolerances of the spine under vertical loads based on injuries have implications in clinical and biomechanical applications. Primary outputs such as forces and moments can be used to derive secondary variables such as the neck injury criterion. Implications are discussed for designing anthropomorphic test devices that may be used to predict injuries in underbody blast environments and improve the safety of military personnel.     

Integrative acupoint stimulation to alleviate postoperative pain and morphine-related side effects: A sham-controlled study

Background

Although it can be reduced, postoperative pain remains a problem. Acupressure with electric stimulation may be more effective for postoperative pain management than acupressure alone.

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of integrative acupoint stimulation (IAS) on the relief of postoperative pain and on the reduction of morphine-related side effects.

Design

A single-blinded, sham-controlled study with three groups.

Setting

An orthopedic ward in a 2900-bed teaching medical center.

Participants

Forty-five subjects in each of three groups.

Methods

Each subject received a multimedia course on patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) before surgery to learn about the use of narcotic analgesics and the operation of the PCA device. Treatment was as follows: (1) for the IAS group, auricular acupressure combined with transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulation (TEAS) at the true acupoint; (2) for the sham group, acupoint stimulation in the same manner but at a sham acupoint or without embedding seeds and pressure; (3) for the control group, no IAS intervention.

Results

Pain scores were significantly lower in the IAS group than the other two groups at 2 h and 4 h after returning to the ward, and 24 h after surgery. The analgesic requirement during the 72 h after surgery and the overall incidence of morphine-related side effects were significantly lower in the IAS group.

Conclusion

The study demonstrates that combined auricular acupressure and TEAS decreased postoperative pain, the use of equianalgesic morphine, and morphine-related side effects. IAS provides better analgesia when used in conjunction with PCA after lumbar spine surgery and can be regarded as a component of multimodal analgesia.     

Reference chart of inspiratory muscle strength: a new tool to monitor the effect of pre-operative training

Objectives

To develop a reference chart to monitor inspiratory muscle strength during pre-operative inspiratory muscle training for patients at high risk of developing postoperative pulmonary complications awaiting coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

Design

Secondary data analysis using patients from the intervention arm of a randomised clinical trial.

Setting

University medical centre.

Participants

Patients at high risk of developing postoperative pulmonary complications awaiting CABG surgery.

Interventions

Patients performed inspiratory muscle training seven times per week for at least 2 weeks before surgery.

Main outcome measures

Maximal inspiratory muscle strength.

Results

A new reference chart was produced using a non-linear time trend model with a normal error structure.

Conclusions

The chart is a novel tool for monitoring the progress of inspiratory muscle training for physiotherapy practice. Wider use of this chart is recommended.     

Prolonged sevoflurane administration in the off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery: Beneficial effects

Purpose

The benefits of intraoperative administration of halogenated agents in patients undergoing cardiac surgery have been shown by numerous studies. The mechanisms of preconditioning and postconditioning appear to be the cause of these benefits. The possibility of maintaining the early postoperative sedation with halogenated agents, after its intraoperative administration, can increase their benefits.

Patients and methods

This is a prospective trial with 60 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery divided into 3 groups according to the administration of hypnotic drugs in the intraoperative and postoperative periods (sevoflurane, sevoflurane: SS, sevoflurane-propofol: SP, propofol-propofol: PP). For the first 48 hours, hemodynamic parameters, the need for inotropic drugs, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, and troponin I plasmatic concentrations were obtained.

Results

There were significant differences between group SS and the other 2 groups in the levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (SS [501 ± 280 pg/mL] compared with SP [1270 ± 498 pg/mL] and PP [1775 ± 527 pg/mL] [P < .05]) and troponin I (SS [0.5 ± 0.4 ng/mL] compared with SP [1.61 ± 1.30 ng/mL] and PP [2.27 ± 1.5 ng/mL] [P < .05]) and a lower number of inotropic drugs.

Conclusion

Sevoflurane administration in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass graft, in the operating room and the intensive care unit, decreases myocardial injury markers compared with patients who only received sevoflurane in the intraoperative period, but both were a better option to decrease levels of myocardial markers when compared with the propofol group.     

Neuromuscular blockade during therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest: Observational study of neurological and infectious outcomes

Introduction

Neuromuscular blockade (NMB) is widely used during therapeutic hypothermia (TH) after cardiac arrest but its effect on patient outcomes is unclear. We compared the effects of NMB on neurological outcomes and frequency of early-onset pneumonia in cardiac-arrest survivors managed with TH.

Methods

We retrospectively studied consecutive adult cardiac-arrest survivors managed with TH in a tertiary-level intensive care unit between January 2008 and July 2013. Patients given continuous NMB for persistent shivering were compared to those managed without NMB. Cases of early-onset pneumonia and vital status at ICU discharge were recorded. To avoid bias due to between-group baseline differences, we adjusted the analysis on a propensity score.

Results

Of 311 cardiac-arrest survivors, 144 received TH, including 117 with continuous NMB and 27 without NMBs. ICU mortality was lower with NMB (hazard ratio [HR], 0.54 [0.32; 0.89], p = 0.016) but the difference was not significant after adjustment on the propensity score (HR, 0.70 [0.39; 1.25], p = 0.22). The proportion of patients with good neurological outcomes was not significantly different (36% with and 22% without NMB, p = 0.16). Early-onset pneumonia was more common with NMB (HR, 2.36 [1.24; 4.50], p = 0.009) but the difference was not significant after adjustment on the propensity score (HR, 1.68 [0.90; 3.16], p = 0.10).

Conclusions

Continuous intravenous NMB during TH after cardiac arrest has potential owns effects on ICU survival with a trend increase in the frequency of early-onset pneumonia. Randomised controlled trials are needed to define the role for NMB among treatments for TH-induced shivering.