Deep accidental hypothermia during the Queensland summer.
A 52-year-old woman presented with severe accidental hypothermia associated with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest after a polypharmacy overdose. Deep hypothermia developed while she lay unconscious, with a split-system air-conditioning unit rapidly cooling the confined area of her bedroom. Despite the need for lengthy resuscitative efforts at the scene and in hospital, she went on to a full neurological recovery. The neuroprotective role of accidental hypothermia is reviewed, as are the guidelines for resuscitation in this setting. We conclude that hypothermia must be considered even in unlikely circumstances, such as the Queensland summer, when ambient temperatures are high.
General Intensive Care Unit, Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, QLD. andrew@udy.com
Andrew A
AA
Udy
Marc D
MD
Ziegenfuss
John F
JF
Fraser
D000389:Air Conditioning; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; D062787:Drug Overdose; D005260:Female; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D007423:Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping; D008875:Middle Aged; D019338:Polypharmacy; D011793:Queensland; D012151:Resuscitation / Q000379:methods; D012621:Seasons