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 the absence of recognized causes of hypothermia. Ten of the 11 patients were either alcoholic or diabetic. Intravascular thrombosis was the most common complication leading to death.
D000059:Accidents; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D001792:Blood Platelets; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001831:Body Temperature; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000150:complications; D012737:Sex Factors; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents