Extracorporeal Life Support in Accidental Hypothermia with Cardiac Arrest-A Narrative Review

Justyna Swol* (First author), Tomasz Darocha, Peter Paal, Hermann Brugger, Paweł Podsiadło, Sylweriusz Kosiński, Mateusz Puślecki, Marcin Ligowski, Mathieu Pasquier

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

28 Citations (Web of Science)

Abstract

Severely hypothermic patients, especially suffering cardiac arrest, require highly specialized treatment. The most common problems affecting the recognition and treatment seem to be awareness, logistics, and proper planning. In severe hypothermia, pathophysiologic changes occur in the cardiovascular system leading to dysrhythmias, decreased cardiac output, decreased central nervous system electrical activity, cold diuresis, and noncardiogenic pulmonary edema. Cardiac arrest, multiple organ dysfunction, and refractory vasoplegia are indicative of profound hypothermia. The aim of these narrative reviews is to describe the peculiar pathophysiology of patients suffering cardiac arrest from accidental hypothermia. We describe the good chances of neurologic recovery in certain circumstances, even in patients presenting with unwitnessed cardiac arrest, asystole, and the absence of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Guidance on patient selection, prognostication, and treatment, including extracorporeal life support, is given.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)153-162
Number of pages10
JournalASAIO JOURNAL
Volume68
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2022

Keywords

  • RESUSCITATION COUNCIL GUIDELINES
  • CARDIOPULMONARY-RESUSCITATION
  • MEMBRANE-OXYGENATION
  • CIRCULATORY ARREST
  • CORE TEMPERATURE
  • SURVIVAL
  • MANAGEMENT
  • SOCIETY
  • ECMO
  • TERMINATION

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