Theraputic Hypothermia Essay -- Health Medicine Medical Essays Researc

Theraputic Hypothermia Hypothermia, defined as a core body temperature less than 95  °F(35 °C) occurs when heat loss exceeds the body’s heat production. (Ruffolo p.47) Thermal stability in humans depends on the body’s ability to adapt to changes in internal and external temperatures. Heat is transferred throughout tissues and fat, and is released at a rate directly related to the temperature of the environment through radiation, conduction, convection, and evaporation.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hypothermia is typically seen as a bad thing; however, various studies have been proving it to be very useful. Traumatic brain injury initiates several metabolic processes that can exacerbate the injury. There is evidence that hypothermia may limit some of these deleterious metabolic responses. In a randomized controlled trial researchers compared the effect of moderate hypothermia and normhypothermia in 82 patients with severe closed head injuries (score of 3 to 7 on the Glasgow Coma Scale) The patients assigned to hypothermia were cooled to 33 degrees C an average of 10 hours after injury, kept at 32 degrees to 33 degrees C for 24 hours, and then re-warmed. A specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation who was unaware of the treatment assignments evaluated the patients 3, 6, and 12 months later with the use of the Glasgow Outcome Scale. The demographic characteristics, causes, and severity of injury were similar in the hypothermia group and the normothermia groups. At 12 months 62% of the patients in the hypothermia group and 38% in the normothermia had good outcomes (moderate, mild, or no disabilities). The researchers concluded that â€Å"Treatment with moderate hypothermia for 24hours in patients with severe traumatic brain injury and coma scores of 5 to 7 hastened neurological recovery and may have improved the outcome. (Marion et all)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Two studies done (one in Australia and the other in Europe) showed the therapeutic value in survivors cardiac arrest. In the Australian study, which involved 77 patients who remained comatose after the restoration of spontaneous circulation, 49% of those treated with hypothermia were discharged home or into a rehabilitation facility compared to the 26% of those not treated with hypothermia. There were no significant differe... ...tion fluids, preparation solution, or baths can contribute to heat loss. Ruffolo Evaporation is the transfer of heat to the air from moist skin or mucous membranes. It occurs through wet skin, open body cavities and the respiratory tract. References (Works Cited) Ruffolo, Daria. www.rnweb.com. Vol. 65 No. 2. February 2002 Marion, DW et all. â€Å"Treatment of traumatic brain injury with moderate hypothermia†, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Safar, Peter & Patrick Kochanek. â€Å"Therapeutic Hypothermia After Cardiac Arrest†. New England Journal of Medicine, February 21, 2002 p.612-613 Holzer, Michael. â€Å"Mild Therapeutic Hypothermia To Improve The Neurologic Outcome After Cardiac Arrest.† New England Journal of Medicine, February 21, 2002 p.549 Clifton, Guy et all. â€Å"Lack of Effect of Induction of Hypothermia After Acute Brain Injury† New England Journal of Medicine. February 22, 2002. p.556 Rose, Victoria. â€Å"Children Recover Faster Than Adults From Accidental Or Therapeutic Hypothermia†. www.docguide.com. July 23, 2001 Unknown Author, â€Å"Reducing Brain Temperature May Benefit At-Risk Newborns† http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/4E73E.htm, December 17, 1997