Treatment of moderate-to-severe hypothermia in an urban setting.
OBJECTIVE
To study the treatment of moderate-to-severe hypothermia using a combination of core rewarming techniques.


METHODS
A prospective study.


METHODS
The emergency department of an urban, community hospital. TYPE OF PATIENTS: Sixteen patients who presented with accidental hypothermia with a core temperature of less than 32 C.


METHODS
All patients were treated with warmed IV fluids either through central or peripheral IV lines and heated aerosol masks.


RESULTS
The patients had a mean rewarming rate of 1.16 C/hr; all survived. The majority were chronic alcoholic patients who presented with multiple medical conditions that required hospitalization.


CONCLUSIONS
All patients recovered with this method of core rewarming.
Shields
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CP
Emergency Department, New York Infirmary Beekman Downtown Hospital, New York 10038.
Sixsmith
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DM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications; D001794:Blood Pressure; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006361:Heating / Q000379:methods*; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014505:Urban Population