ISSN:
1432-1238
Keywords:
Key words Accidental hypothermia
;
Rewarming strategy
;
Critical care
;
Extracorporeal circulation
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Objective: To study a rewarming strategy for patients with severe accidental hypothermia using a simple veno-venous bypass in combination with a convective air warmer. Setting: Eighteen beds in a university hospital intensive care unit. Patients: Four adults admitted with a core temperature less than 30 °C. Hypothermia was caused by alcoholic intoxication in three patients and by drug overdose in one patient. Measurements and main results: All patients were rewarmed by a veno-venous bypass and in three cases a convective air warmer was also used. At a bypass flow rate of 100–300 ml/min the mean increase in core temperature was 1.15 °C/h (Range: 1.1–1.2 °C/h). One patient died 2 days after rewarming as a consequence of a reactivated pancreatitis. The other three patients survived without neurological sequelae. Conclusion: This rewarming technique seems safe and effective and allowed the controlled rewarming of our patients who suffered from severe accidental hypothermia
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s001340050891
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