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.
Helsinki Area Emergency Medical Air Service, Vantaa, Finland. ikka.virkkunen@uta.fi
Ilkka
I
Virkkunen
Arvi
A
Yli-Hankala
Tom
T
Silfvast
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