Mild hypothermia for intracranial aneurysm surgery.
BACKGROUND
Eighty nine patients with established intracranial aneurysm (Hunt-Hess score 1 to 3), who were operated at The Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Brno in 2003-2006, were enrolled in to the study group.


METHODS
After introduction of anesthesia, we started cooling with two circulating-water mattresses (Blanketrol III, Cincinnatti Sub Zero). Body temperature was maintained at 34 degrees C during preparation of cerebral vessels. Active rewarming was started after clip putting. Cooling rate was 0.9 +/- 0.3 degree C per hour and rewarming rate was 0.7 +/- 0.3 degrees C per hour. The required core body temperature was achieved in all patients, i.e. in 100% of cases. Measured values of both esophageal and bladder temperature were not significantly different (p = 0.4475). No significant difference was found when preoperative coagulation parameters and values measured during managed hypothermia were compared. Neurological condition was evaluated as good in 82 patients (92%). Two patients died and one patient was in vegetative status.


CONCLUSIONS
When compared with similar group of patients, who underwent surgery in 1998 to 2002, where good treatment results were achieved in 80%, final good neurological treatment results increased statistically significantly by 12% due to managed hypothermia as well (p = 0.0086) (Tab. 4, Ref. 11).
Gal
R
R
Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, University Hospital Brno, Czech Republic. rgal@atlas.cz
Smrcka
M
M
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007036:Hypothermia, Induced; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged