Circulation Atmegiso tmO Learn and live JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION Part 10.4: Hypothermia Circulation 2005: 1 12: 136-138; originally published online Nov 28, 2005 DOI: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA. 105.166566 Circulation is published by the American Heart Association. 7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, Tx 72514 Copyright o 2005 American Heart Association. All rights reserved. Print ISSN: 0009-7322. Online ISSN:15244539 The online version of this article, along with updated information and services, is located on the world wide web at http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/112/24suppl/iv-136 Subscriptions: Information about subscribing to Circulation is online at http://circ.ahajournals.org/subsriptions/ Permissions: Permissions Rights Desk, Lippincott Williams Wilkins, 351 West Cam Street. Baltimore MD 21202-2436 Phone 410-5280-4050. Fax: 410-528-8550 En journalpermissions@lww.com Reprints: Information about reprints can be found online at http://www.Iww.com/static/html/reprints.html Downloaded from circ. ahajournals. org by on February 21, 2006
ISSN: 1524-4539 Copyright © 2005 American Heart Association. All rights reserved. Print ISSN: 0009-7322. Online 72514 Circulation is published by the American Heart Association. 7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX DOI: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.105.166566 Circulation 2005;112;136-138; originally published online Nov 28, 2005; Part 10.4: Hypothermia http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/112/24_suppl/IV-136 located on the World Wide Web at: The online version of this article, along with updated information and services, is http://www.lww.com/static/html/reprints.html Reprints: Information about reprints can be found online at journalpermissions@lww.com Street, Baltimore, MD 21202-2436. Phone 410-5280-4050. Fax: 410-528-8550. Email: Permissions: Permissions & Rights Desk, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 351 West Camden http://circ.ahajournals.org/subsriptions/ Subscriptions: Information about subscribing to Circulation is online at Downloaded from circ.ahajournals.org by on February 21, 2006
Part 10.4: Hypothermia intentional hypothermia is a serious and preventable Severe(30C 34 C (932F) clinically dead during the initial assessment. But in some may be passively rewarmed with warmed blankets and a cases hypothermia may exert a protective effect on the brail warm environment. This form of rewarming will not be and organs in cardiac arrest. 2 Intact neurologic recovery may adequate for a patient with cardiopulmonary arrest or be possible after hypothermic cardiac arrest, although those with nonasphyxial arrest have a better prognosis than those -For patients with moderate hypothermia(30 C to 34.C with asphyxial-associated hypothermic arrest. -5 With this in [86.F to 932F]) and a perfusing rhythm and no preced mind, lifesaving procedures should not be withheld on the ing cardiac arrest, active external warming(with heating basis of clinical presentation. 4 Victims should be transported blankets, forced air, and warmed infusion) should be as soon as possible to a center where monitored rewarming is considered(Class Ib). Active extermal rewarming uses possible heating methods or devices (radiant heat, forced hot air, warmed Iv fluids, warm water packs) but no invasive General Care for All Victims of Hypothermia devices. Use of these methods requires careful monitoring When the victim is extremely cold but has maintained a for hemodynamic changes and tissue injury from external perfusing rhythm, the rescuer should focus on interventions heating devices. Some researchers believe that active that prevent further heat loss and begin to rewarm the victim external rewarming contributes to ""afterdrop"(continued These include the following drop in core temperature when cold blood from the Prevent additional evaporative heat loss by removing wet periphery is mobilized). But recent studies have indicated garments and insulating the victim from further environ that forced air rewarming(one study used warmed IV mental exposures. fluids and forced air rewarming) is effective in some Do not delay urgent procedures, such as intubation and patients, even those with severe hypothermia. 7.8 insertion of vascular catheters, but perform them gently -For patients with a core body temperature 34°CD>93.2°F): passIve rewarming methods Handle the victim gently for all procedures; phys Moderate(30°Cto34°C86°Fto93.2°F): active exter- ical manipulations have been reported to precipitate VF.4.9 nal rewarming If the hypothermic victim is in cardiac arrest, the general -Severe(<30C [86FD): active intemal rewarming: con- approach to BLS management should still target airway, sider extracorporeal membrane oxygenation breathing. and circulation but with some modifications in approach. When the victim is hypothermic, pulse and respi- Patients in cardiac arrest will require CPR with some ratory rates may be slow or difficult to detect. For these modifications of conventional BLS and ACLS care and reasons the bls healthcare provider should assess breathing and later assess the pulse for a period of 30 to 45 seconds to confirm respiratory arrest, pulseless cardiac arrest, or brad -Moderate (30.C to 34.C [86F to 932F]): start CPR, attempt cardia that is profound enough to require CPR. 10 If the victim defibrillation, establish IV access, give Iv medications spaced is not breathing, start rescue breathing immediately. If pos at longer intervals, provide active intemal rewarming sible, administer warmed(42Cto46°[08°Ftol15°F) humidified oxygen during bag-mask ventilation. If the victim (Circulation. 2005: 112: IV-136-IV-138. o 2005 American Heart Association is pulseless with no detectable signs of circulation, start chest compressions immediately. If there is any doubt about This special supplement to Circulation is freely available at http://www.circulationaha.org whether a pulse is present, begin compressions The temperature at which defibrillation should first be DOI: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA. 105.166566 attempted in the severely hypothermic patient and the number IV136
Part 10.4: Hypothermia Unintentional hypothermia is a serious and preventable health problem. Severe hypothermia (body temperature 30°C [86°F]) is associated with marked depression of critical body functions that may make the victim appear clinically dead during the initial assessment. But in some cases hypothermia may exert a protective effect on the brain and organs in cardiac arrest.1,2 Intact neurologic recovery may be possible after hypothermic cardiac arrest, although those with nonasphyxial arrest have a better prognosis than those with asphyxial-associated hypothermic arrest.3–5 With this in mind, lifesaving procedures should not be withheld on the basis of clinical presentation.4 Victims should be transported as soon as possible to a center where monitored rewarming is possible. General Care for All Victims of Hypothermia When the victim is extremely cold but has maintained a perfusing rhythm, the rescuer should focus on interventions that prevent further heat loss and begin to rewarm the victim. These include the following: ● Prevent additional evaporative heat loss by removing wet garments and insulating the victim from further environmental exposures. ● Do not delay urgent procedures, such as intubation and insertion of vascular catheters, but perform them gently while closely monitoring cardiac rhythm. These patients are prone to develop ventricular fibrillation (VF). For patients with moderate to severe hypothermia, therapy is determined by the presence or absence of a perfusing rhythm. We provide an overview of therapy here and give more details below. Management of the patient with moderate to severe hypothermia is as follows: ● Hypothermia with a perfusing rhythm –Mild (34°C [93.2°F]): passive rewarming –Moderate (30°C to 34°C [86°F to 93.2°F]): active external rewarming –Severe (30°C [86°F]): active internal rewarming; consider extracorporeal membrane oxygenation ● Patients in cardiac arrest will require CPR with some modifications of conventional BLS and ACLS care and will require active internal rewarming –Moderate (30°C to 34°C [86°F to 93.2°F]): start CPR, attempt defibrillation, establish IV access, give IV medications spaced at longer intervals, provide active internal rewarming –Severe (30°C [86°F]): start CPR, attempt defibrillation once, withhold medications until temperature 30°C (86°F), provide active internal rewarming –Patients with a core temperature of 34°C (93.2°F) may be passively rewarmed with warmed blankets and a warm environment. This form of rewarming will not be adequate for a patient with cardiopulmonary arrest or severe hypothermia.6 –For patients with moderate hypothermia (30°C to 34°C [86°F to 93.2°F]) and a perfusing rhythm and no preceding cardiac arrest, active external warming (with heating blankets, forced air, and warmed infusion) should be considered (Class IIb). Active external rewarming uses heating methods or devices (radiant heat, forced hot air, warmed IV fluids, warm water packs) but no invasive devices. Use of these methods requires careful monitoring for hemodynamic changes and tissue injury from external heating devices. Some researchers believe that active external rewarming contributes to “afterdrop” (continued drop in core temperature when cold blood from the periphery is mobilized). But recent studies have indicated that forced air rewarming (one study used warmed IV fluids and forced air rewarming) is effective in some patients, even those with severe hypothermia.7,8 –For patients with a core body temperature 30°C (86°F) and cardiac arrest, active internal rewarming techniques (invasive) are needed. With or without return of spontaneous circulation, these patients may benefit from prolonged CPR and internal warming (peritoneal lavage, esophageal rewarming tubes, cardiopulmonary bypass, extracorporeal circulation, etc). Modifications of BLS for Hypothermia If the hypothermic victim has not yet developed cardiac arrest, focus attention on warming the patient with available methods. Handle the victim gently for all procedures; physical manipulations have been reported to precipitate VF.4,9 If the hypothermic victim is in cardiac arrest, the general approach to BLS management should still target airway, breathing, and circulation but with some modifications in approach. When the victim is hypothermic, pulse and respiratory rates may be slow or difficult to detect. For these reasons the BLS healthcare provider should assess breathing and later assess the pulse for a period of 30 to 45 seconds to confirm respiratory arrest, pulseless cardiac arrest, or bradycardia that is profound enough to require CPR.10 If the victim is not breathing, start rescue breathing immediately. If possible, administer warmed (42°C to 46°C [108°F to 115°F]) humidified oxygen during bag-mask ventilation. If the victim is pulseless with no detectable signs of circulation, start chest compressions immediately. If there is any doubt about whether a pulse is present, begin compressions. The temperature at which defibrillation should first be attempted in the severely hypothermic patient and the number (Circulation. 2005;112:IV-136-IV-138.) © 2005 American Heart Association. This special supplement to Circulation is freely available at http://www.circulationaha.org DOI: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.105.166566 IV-136
Part 10.4: Hypothermia 1V-137 of defibrillation attempts that should be made have not been with warmed fluids, pleural lavage with warm saline through established. But if ventricular tachycardia (VT)or VF chest tubes, extracorporeal blood warming with partial by present, defibrillation should be attempted. Automated exter- pass, 49, 12, 14. I5 and cardiopulmonary bypass. 16 nal defibrillators(AEDs)may be used for these patients. If During rewarming, patients who have been hypothermic vf is detected. it should be treated with I shock thel for >45 to 60 minutes are likely to require volume adminis- immediately followed by resumption of CPR, as outline tration because the vascular space expands with vasodilation. elsewhere in these guidelines for VF/VT(see Part 5: Elec- Routine administration of steroids, barbiturates, and antibiot- trical Therapies: Automated External Defibrillators, Defibril- ics has not been documented to increase survival rates or lation, Cardioversion, and Pacing"). If the patient does not decrease postresuscitation damage. 17, I8 respond to I shock, further defibrillation attempts should be If drowning preceded hypothermia, successful resuscita- deferred, and the rescuer should focus on continuing CPR and tion is unlikely. Because severe hypothermia is frequently rewarming the patient to a range of 30C to 32C(86 F to preceded by other disorders(eg, drug overdose, alcohol use, 89.6F) before repeating the defibrillation attempt. If core or trauma), the clinician must look for and treat these temperature is 30C, Iv medications may be administered but with rz F Safar P, Fisherman S, Radovsky A, Kuboyama K, Oku K. Mild increased intervals between doses ypothermic cardiopulmonary resuscitation impro As noted previously, a defibrillation attempt is appropriate longed cardiac arrest in dogs. Crir Care Med. 1991; 19: 379-389 if VF/VT is present. If the patient fails to respond to the initial 3. Farstad M, Andersen KS, Koller ME, Grong K, Segadal L, Husby P. defibrillation attempt or initial drug therapy, defer subsequent Rewarming from accidental hypot retrospective study. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2001; 20: 58-64 defibrillation attempts or additional boluses of medication 4. Schneider SM. Hypothermia: from recognition to rewarming Emerg Me until the core temperature rises above 30C(86F).9 Sinus Rep.1992;13:1-20 bradycardia may be physiologic in severe hypothermia (ie, 5.Gilbert M. Busund R. Skagseth A, Nilsen PA, Solbe JP. Resuscitate from accidental hypothermia of 137C with circulatory arrest. Lancet. appropriate to maintain sufficient oxygen delivery when hypothermia is present), and cardiac pacing is usually not 6. Larach MG. Accidental hypothermia. Lancet. 1995: 345: 493-498 indicated 7. Komberger E. Schwarz B, Lindner KH, Mair P. Forced air surfac In-hospital treatment of severely hypothermic (core tem- rewarming in patients with severe accidental hypothermia. Resuscitation 1999:4l:105-l11 erature <30C [86FD victims in cardiac arrest should be 8. Roggla M. Frossard M, Wagner A. Holzer M, Bur A. Rogela G. Seve directed at rapid core rewarming. Techniques for in-hospit accidental hypothermia with or without her nic instability: controlled rewarming include administration of warmed, rewarming without the use of extracorporeal circulation. Wien Wochenschr.2002;114:315-320. humidified oxygen(42 C to 46C[108 Fto 115FD, warmed 9. Reuler JB. Hypothermia: pathophysiology, clinical settings, and man- IV fluids(normal saline)at 43.C(109F), peritoneal lavage agement. Ann Intern Med. 1978: 89: 519-527
of defibrillation attempts that should be made have not been established. But if ventricular tachycardia (VT) or VF is present, defibrillation should be attempted. Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) may be used for these patients. If VF is detected, it should be treated with 1 shock then immediately followed by resumption of CPR, as outlined elsewhere in these guidelines for VF/VT (see Part 5: “Electrical Therapies: Automated External Defibrillators, Defibrillation, Cardioversion, and Pacing”). If the patient does not respond to 1 shock, further defibrillation attempts should be deferred, and the rescuer should focus on continuing CPR and rewarming the patient to a range of 30°C to 32°C (86°F to 89.6°F) before repeating the defibrillation attempt. If core temperature is 30°C (86°F), successful conversion to normal sinus rhythm may not be possible until rewarming is accomplished.11 To prevent further core heat loss, remove wet garments and protect the victim from further environmental exposure. Insofar as possible this should be done while providing initial BLS therapies. Beyond these critical initial steps, the treatment of severe hypothermia (temperature 30°C [86°F]) in the field remains controversial. Many providers do not have the time or equipment to assess core body temperature or to institute aggressive rewarming techniques, although these methods should be initiated when available.4,9,12,13 Modifications to ACLS for Hypothermia For unresponsive patients or those in arrest, endotracheal intubation is appropriate. Intubation serves 2 purposes in the management of hypothermia: it enables provision of effective ventilation with warm, humidified oxygen, and it can isolate the airway to reduce the likelihood of aspiration. ACLS management of cardiac arrest due to hypothermia focuses on more aggressive active core rewarming techniques as the primary therapeutic modality. The hypothermic heart may be unresponsive to cardiovascular drugs, pacemaker stimulation, and defibrillation.9 In addition, drug metabolism is reduced. There is concern that in the severely hypothermic victim, cardioactive medications can accumulate to toxic levels in the peripheral circulation if given repeatedly. For these reasons IV drugs are often withheld if the victim’s core body temperature is 30°C (86°F). If the core body temperature is 30°C, IV medications may be administered but with increased intervals between doses. As noted previously, a defibrillation attempt is appropriate if VF/VT is present. If the patient fails to respond to the initial defibrillation attempt or initial drug therapy, defer subsequent defibrillation attempts or additional boluses of medication until the core temperature rises above 30°C (86°F).9 Sinus bradycardia may be physiologic in severe hypothermia (ie, appropriate to maintain sufficient oxygen delivery when hypothermia is present), and cardiac pacing is usually not indicated. In-hospital treatment of severely hypothermic (core temperature 30°C [86°F]) victims in cardiac arrest should be directed at rapid core rewarming. Techniques for in-hospital controlled rewarming include administration of warmed, humidified oxygen (42°C to 46°C [108°F to 115°F]), warmed IV fluids (normal saline) at 43°C (109°F), peritoneal lavage with warmed fluids, pleural lavage with warm saline through chest tubes, extracorporeal blood warming with partial bypass,4,9,12,14,15 and cardiopulmonary bypass.16 During rewarming, patients who have been hypothermic for 45 to 60 minutes are likely to require volume administration because the vascular space expands with vasodilation. Routine administration of steroids, barbiturates, and antibiotics has not been documented to increase survival rates or decrease postresuscitation damage.17,18 If drowning preceded hypothermia, successful resuscitation is unlikely. Because severe hypothermia is frequently preceded by other disorders (eg, drug overdose, alcohol use, or trauma), the clinician must look for and treat these underlying conditions while simultaneously treating the hypothermia. Withholding and Cessation of Resuscitative Efforts In the field resuscitation may be withheld if the victim has obvious lethal injuries or if the body is frozen so that nose and mouth are blocked by ice and chest compression is impossible.19 Some clinicians believe that patients who appear dead after prolonged exposure to cold temperatures should not be considered dead until they are warmed to near normal core temperature.10,11 Hypothermia may exert a protective effect on the brain and organs if the hypothermia develops rapidly in victims of cardiac arrest. When a victim of hypothermia is discovered, however, it may be impossible to distinguish primary from secondary hypothermia. When it is clinically impossible to know whether the arrest or the hypothermia occurred first, rescuers should try to stabilize the patient with CPR. Basic maneuvers to limit heat loss and begin rewarming should be started. Once the patient is in the hospital, physicians should use their clinical judgment to decide when resuscitative efforts should cease in a victim of hypothermic arrest. References 1. Holzer M, Behringer W, Schorkhuber W, Zeiner A, Sterz F, Laggner AN, Frass M, Siostrozonek P, Ratheiser K, Kaff A. Mild hypothermia and outcome after CPR. Hypothermia for Cardiac Arrest (HACA) Study Group. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand Suppl. 1997;111:55–58. 2. Sterz F, Safar P, Tisherman S, Radovsky A, Kuboyama K, Oku K. Mild hypothermic cardiopulmonary resuscitation improves outcome after prolonged cardiac arrest in dogs. Crit Care Med. 1991;19:379 –389. 3. Farstad M, Andersen KS, Koller ME, Grong K, Segadal L, Husby P. Rewarming from accidental hypothermia by extracorporeal circulation: a retrospective study. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2001;20:58 – 64. 4. Schneider SM. Hypothermia: from recognition to rewarming. Emerg Med Rep. 1992;13:1–20. 5. Gilbert M, Busund R, Skagseth A, Nilsen PÅ, Solbø JP. Resuscitation from accidental hypothermia of 13.7°C with circulatory arrest. Lancet. 2000;355:375–376. 6. Larach MG. Accidental hypothermia. Lancet. 1995;345:493– 498. 7. Kornberger E, Schwarz B, Lindner KH, Mair P. Forced air surface rewarming in patients with severe accidental hypothermia. Resuscitation. 1999;41:105–111. 8. Roggla M, Frossard M, Wagner A, Holzer M, Bur A, Roggla G. Severe accidental hypothermia with or without hemodynamic instability: rewarming without the use of extracorporeal circulation. Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2002;114:315–320. 9. Reuler JB. Hypothermia: pathophysiology, clinical settings, and management. Ann Intern Med. 1978;89:519 –527. Part 10.4: Hypothermia IV-137
IV-13 Circulation December 13. 2005 10. Steinman AM. Cardio nary resuscitation and hypothermia. Circul- 15. Althaus U, Eberhard P, Schupbach P, Nachbur BH, Muhlemann W lation. 1986: 74(pt 2): IV29-IV32 Management of profound accidental hypothermia with cardiorespirato I1. Southwick FS, Dalglish PH Jr Recovery after prolonged asystolic cardiac arrest in profound hypothermia: a case re 16. Silfvast T, Pettila V. Outcome from severe accidental hypothermia AMA.1980243:1250-1253 Southern Finland--a 10-year review. Resuscitation. 2003: 59: 285-290 12. Weinberg AD, Hamlet MP, Paturas JL, White RD. McAninch Gw. Cold 17. Moss J Accidental severe hypothermia. Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1986: 162. Weather Emergencies: Principles of Patient Management. Branford, C1 American Medical Publishing Co; 1990: 10-30. 18. Safar p cerebral resuscitation after cardiac arrest research initiatives and 13. Romet TT. Mechanism of afterdrop after cold water immersion. J Appl future directions Ip Physiol.1988:65:1535-153 Auerbach PS Glazer S. Goetz w. Johnson E, Jui J 14. Zell SC, Kurtz K. Severe exposure hypothermia: a resuscitation protocoL. Lilja P, Marx JA, Miller J Multicenter hypothermia survey. Ann Emerg Ann Emerg Med.1985:14:339-345. Med.1987;16:1042-1055
10. Steinman AM. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and hypothermia. Circulation. 1986;74(pt 2):IV29-IV32. 11. Southwick FS, Dalglish PH Jr. Recovery after prolonged asystolic cardiac arrest in profound hypothermia: a case report and literature review. JAMA. 1980;243:1250 –1253. 12. Weinberg AD, Hamlet MP, Paturas JL, White RD, McAninch GW. Cold Weather Emergencies: Principles of Patient Management. Branford, CT: American Medical Publishing Co; 1990:10 –30. 13. Romet TT. Mechanism of afterdrop after cold water immersion. J Appl Physiol. 1988;65:1535–1538. 14. Zell SC, Kurtz KJ. Severe exposure hypothermia: a resuscitation protocol. Ann Emerg Med. 1985;14:339 –345. 15. Althaus U, Aeberhard P, Schupbach P, Nachbur BH, Muhlemann W. Management of profound accidental hypothermia with cardiorespiratory arrest. Ann Surg. 1982;195:492– 495. 16. Silfvast T, Pettila V. Outcome from severe accidental hypothermia in Southern Finland—a 10-year review. Resuscitation. 2003;59:285–290. 17. Moss J. Accidental severe hypothermia. Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1986;162: 501–513. 18. Safar P. Cerebral resuscitation after cardiac arrest: research initiatives and future directions [published correction appears in Ann Emerg Med. 1993; 22:759]. Ann Emerg Med. 1993;22:324 –349. 19. Danzl DF, Pozos RS, Auerbach PS, Glazer S, Goetz W, Johnson E, Jui J, Lilja P, Marx JA, Miller J. Multicenter hypothermia survey. Ann Emerg Med. 1987;16:1042–1055. IV-138 Circulation December 13, 2005