title: Warming of patients with accidental hypothermia using warm water pleural lavage.
abstract: In all, five patients with accidental hypothermia below 32 degrees C are described. All were unconscious and in mortal danger, but with an intact circulation. The youngest was 11 years and the oldest 85 years of age. The two oldest patients suffered from critical hypothermia only, while the other cases were complicated by other trauma and drug poisoning. All were warmed using pleural lavage with warm saline. All were discharged to their own homes neurologically intact.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Center for Cardiovascular Research, Aalborg Hospital, University of Arhus, Skodshoej 2, DK-9530 Stoevring, Denmark. benedict@dadlnet.dk
authors.forename: Benedict
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kjaergaard
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bach
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D035422:Pleural Cavity; D017694:Rewarming / Q000379:methods*; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D012965:Sodium Chloride