Control of accidental hypothermia

Accidental Hypothermia

Accidental hypothermia was studied in 11 patients, five of whom died. This condition occurs spontaneously, usually in a cold environment, and should be suspected in the comatose hypotensive patient. It is easily missed because regular clinical thermometers do not record extremely low body temperatures. It is distinguished from other forms of hypothermia by the very low body temperature and by t...

Accidental hypothermia.

Accidental hypothermia is an acute medical emergency with a high mortality rate. Physiologic derangements include hypoxemia, hypotension, acidosis, and arrhythmias. Management consists of careful monitoring rewarming, vigorous supportive care, and treatment of underlying and complicating disorders. Active core rewarming is recommended for hypothermia with associated cardiovascular insufficiency...

Accidental Hypothermia

The “reanimations” of profoundly cold victims in prolonged cardiac arrest and the emergence of therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest help explain the contemporary allure of hypothermia. A 29-year-old Norwegian physician was successfully resuscitated from accidental hypothermia at 13.7° C after a 9-hour resuscitation. This included cardiopulmonary resuscitation initiated at the scene and ...

Pathophysiology of accidental hypothermia.

Accidental hypothermia is an uncommon problem that affects people of all ages, but particularly the elderly. This review briefly outlines the aetiological factors that may predispose to hypothermia, with particular reference to the effects of sepsis, although the specific situation of cold-water immersion is not addressed. A more detailed analysis of the pathophysiology of hypothermia then exam...

Treatment of Accidental Hypothermia