Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 26, 2026

In vitro Assessment of Myocardial Protection following Hypothermia-Preconditioning in a Human Cardiac Myocytes Model
08:22

In vitro Assessment of Myocardial Protection following Hypothermia-Preconditioning in a Human Cardiac Myocytes Model

Published on: October 27, 2020

Therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest and myocardial infarction

Michael Holzer1, Wilhelm Behringer

  • 1Universitätsklinik für Notfallmedizin, Medizinische Universität Wien, Währinger Gürtel 18-20/6D, 1090 Wien, Austria. michael.holzer@meduniwien.ac.at

Best Practice & Research. Clinical Anaesthesiology
|January 14, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Mild therapeutic hypothermia shows promise in improving neurological outcomes and reducing mortality after cardiac arrest. This critical care intervention may save thousands of lives globally with further research.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Neurology
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Cardiovascular diseases cause 17 million deaths annually worldwide.
  • Impaired neurologic function post-cardiac arrest is a significant cause of mortality.
  • No specific therapies existed to improve outcomes after cardiac arrest.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of mild therapeutic hypothermia in improving neurological outcomes and reducing mortality after cardiac arrest.
  • To assess the potential of mild therapeutic hypothermia in preventing reperfusion injury after myocardial infarction.

Main Methods:

  • Two randomized clinical trials were conducted involving patients resuscitated from cardiac arrest.
  • Analysis focused on neurological outcomes and mortality rates in treated patients.
  • Exploration of mild therapeutic hypothermia's role in myocardial infarction reperfusion injury.

Main Results:

  • Mild therapeutic hypothermia demonstrated significant improvement in neurological outcomes.
  • Reduced mortality rates were observed in patients treated with mild therapeutic hypothermia.
  • The therapy shows potential, with one additional favorable outcome for every six patients treated.

Conclusions:

  • Mild therapeutic hypothermia is a promising therapy for improving outcomes after cardiac arrest.
  • Its broad implementation could save numerous lives globally.
  • Further evidence is needed to recommend mild therapeutic hypothermia for reperfusion injury in myocardial infarction in routine clinical practice.

More Related Videos

Esophageal Heat Transfer for Patient Temperature Control and Targeted Temperature Management06:43

Esophageal Heat Transfer for Patient Temperature Control and Targeted Temperature Management

Published on: November 21, 2017

Short-Duration Hypothermia Induction in Rats using Models for Studies examining Clinical Relevance and Mechanisms05:00

Short-Duration Hypothermia Induction in Rats using Models for Studies examining Clinical Relevance and Mechanisms

Published on: March 3, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation IV: Pharmacological Management01:25

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation IV: Pharmacological Management

Pharmacologic intervention is crucial in treating cardiac arrest patients during ACLS or Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support. The ACLS algorithms guide the administration of specific drugs based on the patient's cardiac arrest rhythm, which includes pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT), ventricular fibrillation (VF), asystole, and pulseless electrical activity (PEA).EpinephrineIndication: Epinephrine is the first-line drug for all cardiac arrest rhythms.Mechanism of Action: Epinephrine...
Decreased Body Temperature01:29

Decreased Body Temperature

A decreased body temperature can occur in patients with hypothermia and frostbite. Heat loss with extended cold exposure overpowers the body's ability to create heat, resulting in hypothermia. Core temperature readings help classify hypothermia. Mild hypothermia is temperatures between 32 °C (89.6 °F) and 35°C (95 °F) and is caused by impaired thermoregulation. Moderate hypothermia is temperatures between 28 C (82.4 °F) and 32 °C (89.6 °F) caused by sustained extreme cold exposure, and severe...
Methods of reducing fever01:22

Methods of reducing fever

The signs and symptoms of fever include hot and dry skin, flushed face, thirst, muscle aches, anorexia, headache, tachycardia, tachypnea, and fatigue. Elevated body temperature is reduced using two methods: pharmacological and nonpharmacological. Proper identification and treatment of the root cause of a fever is of utmost importance.
Pharmacological Methods of Reducing Fever:
Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care01:28

Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care

IntroductionThe management of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) aims to minimize myocardial damage, preserve myocardial function, and prevent complications.Initial ManagementInpatient management involves continuous cardiac monitoring, preferably in an ICU, focusing on blood pressure, serum sodium, potassium, and creatinine levels, and urine output. Ongoing pharmacologic management is crucial for stabilizing the patient.Supplemental Oxygen: Administer supplemental oxygen if oxygen saturation is...
Myocarditis III: Medical Management01:14

Myocarditis III: Medical Management

Myocarditis: Comprehensive Medical ManagementMyocarditis, the heart muscle inflammation, requires a comprehensive medical management strategy that addresses the underlying cause, provides supportive care, manages symptoms, and reduces cardiac workload.Infections and Autoimmune CausesAdminister appropriate antimicrobial therapy when an infectious agent causes myocarditis. For instance, penicillin treats infections caused by Group A Streptococcus. In cases where autoimmune processes are...