Hypothermia in trauma patients.

Area of Science:

• Trauma and Emergency Medicine
• Physiology
• Surgical Critical Care

Background:

• Hypothermia is a frequent complication in severely injured patients, significantly increasing mortality rates.
• It disrupts the body's normal homeostatic mechanisms, impacting multiple organ systems and physiological processes.
• Hypothermia-induced coagulopathy in trauma patients leads to severe bleeding, posing a surgical challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To emphasize the critical importance of preventing and treating hypothermia in trauma patients.
• To highlight hypothermia as a vital sign comparable to others in patient management.
• To advocate for continuous hypothermia management from pre-hospital care through hospital resuscitation.

Main Methods:

• This abstract discusses the physiological effects and clinical implications of hypothermia in trauma.
• It reviews the challenges in correcting established hypothermia.
• It stresses the need for early and vigilant management strategies.

Main Results:

• Hypothermia is associated with high mortality in severely injured patients.
• It exacerbates bleeding diathesis through coagulopathy.
• Correcting hypothermia once established is often difficult.

Conclusions:

• Preventive and therapeutic measures for hypothermia must begin in the field and continue throughout resuscitation.
• Maintaining normal body temperature is as critical as monitoring other vital signs in trauma care.
• Vigilant and prompt intervention is essential for managing hypothermia in trauma patients.