Hypothermia in a surgical intensive care unit

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Critical Care Medicine
• Surgical Outcomes

Background:

• Inadvertent perioperative hypothermia is a frequent complication with potential for adverse patient outcomes.
• Core hypothermia can lead to organ system dysfunction and increased morbidity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of core hypothermia upon surgical intensive care unit (ICU) admission.
• To identify predictive factors associated with hypothermia.
• To assess the impact of hypothermia on patient outcomes, including mortality and ICU length of stay.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study of 185 adult patients admitted to a surgical ICU following noncardiac surgery.
• Core temperature (Tc) measured on ICU arrival and at intervals; patient data including surgery type, anesthesia, fluid administration, and SAPS II score recorded.
• Statistical analysis using univariate and multiple logistic regression to identify predictors and outcomes of hypothermia (Tc ≤ 35°C).

Main Results:

• The prevalence of hypothermia on ICU admission was high at 57.8%.
• Significant predictors of hypothermia included major/medium surgery, general anesthesia, crystalloid/erythrocyte administration, and higher SAPS II scores.
• Higher pre-admission temperature was a protective factor; hypothermia was not linked to increased mortality or ICU stay.

Conclusions:

• A high prevalence of hypothermia exists upon ICU admission in surgical patients.
• Despite its prevalence, perioperative hypothermia was not found to be an independent predictor of mortality or prolonged ICU stay in this cohort.