Physical antipyresis in critically ill adults.
Nurses use a variety of methods to cool critically ill patients, even though there are no guidelines for the treatment of temperature elevation in this population. In order to determine whether physical methods of antipyresis, such as the application of cooling blankets, are appropriate for use in the ICU, and if so which methods are best, the authors conducted a literature review. Their findings raise concerns about whether external cooling methods should be used at all in the absence of hyperthermia or cerebral damage. In addition, the authors give an overview of the causes and effects of temperature elevation, focusing mostly on fever.A literature review examines external cooling methods for use in the ICU. The findings raise some doubts.
Kiekkas
By Panagiotis
BP
University Hospital of Patras in Patras, Greece. kiekkpan@otenet.gr
Brokalaki
Hero
H
Theodorakopoulou
Georgia
G
Baltopoulos
George I
GI
D000328:Adult; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods*; D005334:Fever / Q000401:mortality / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007036:Hypothermia, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic