Induction of therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest in prehospital patients using ice-cold Ringer's solution: a pilot study.
The cooling and haemodynamic effects of prehospital infusion of ice-cold Ringer's solution were studied in 13 adult patients after successful resuscitation from non-traumatic cardiac arrest. After haemodynamics stabilisation, 30 ml/kg of Ringer's solution was infused at a rate of 100ml/min into the antecubital vein. Arterial blood pressure and blood gases, pulse rate, end-tidal CO(2) and oesophageal temperature were monitored closely. The mean core temperature decreased from 35.8 +/- 0.9 degrees C at the start of infusion to 34.0 +/- 1.2 degrees C on arrival at hospital (P < 0.0001). No serious adverse haemodynamic effects occurred. It is concluded that the induction of therapeutic hypothermia using this technique in the prehospital setting is feasible.
Virkkunen
Ilkka
I
Helsinki Area Emergency Medical Air Service, Vantaa, Finland. ikka.virkkunen@uta.fi
Yli-Hankala
Arvi
A
Silfvast
Tom
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000379:methods; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods*; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007036:Hypothermia, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007552:Isotonic Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011336:Probability; D000077331:Ringer's Solution; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D000077331:Ringer's Solution