Rapid rewarming of hypothermic patient using arctic sun device

J Intensive Care Med. 2012 Mar-Apr;27(2):128-30. doi: 10.1177/0885066610394423. Epub 2011 Jan 10.

Abstract

There are multiple commercially made devices currently available for inducing hypothermia in patients with postcardiac arrest, but whether these devices can be used successfully for rewarming patients suffering from accidental hypothermia remains largely unexplored. We describe a case in which a patient with severe accidental hypothermia secondary to environmental exposure was successfully, safely, and rapidly warmed using a temperature regulation device traditionally used for therapeutic hypothermia (TH) in patients with postcardiac arrest. Clinicians may wish to consider the use of these devices when attempting to warm patients suffering from severe environmental hypothermia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Arctic Regions
  • Body Temperature
  • Environmental Exposure
  • Humans
  • Hypothermia / diagnosis
  • Hypothermia / physiopathology
  • Hypothermia / therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Rewarming / instrumentation*