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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
07:54
Field-Based Thermal Physiology Assay: Cold Shock Recovery under Ambient Conditions
Published on: March 9, 2021
Aspects of thermoregulation physiology
Sara Pitoni1, Helen L Sinclair, Peter J D Andrews
1Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Unit, Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore of Rome, Rome, Italy. sara.pitoni@edu.rm.unicatt.it
Current Opinion in Critical Care
|March 8, 2011
Summary
Preventing shivering during therapeutic hypothermia is crucial for its neuroprotective effects in conditions like stroke. Combining physical warming with drug therapies shows promise, but more clinical trials are needed.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Therapeutics
Background:
- Thermoregulation is key to therapeutic hypothermia.
- Controlling hypothermia side effects is vital for neuroprotection in stroke and brain injury.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review thermoregulation physiology and its implications for therapeutic hypothermia trials.
- To highlight the importance of managing shivering and side effects.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent clinical recommendations and drug trials for managing hypothermia side effects.
- Exploration of combined physical and pharmacological strategies.
Main Results:
- Various drugs and physical methods have been tested to prevent shivering.
- Optimal protocols for managing hypothermia side effects are still undefined.
- Combined skin warming and drug therapy is a potential strategy.
Conclusions:
- Moderate hypothermia treatment in ICUs can manage shivering with sedatives, opioids, and α2-agonists plus skin warming.
- Further randomized controlled trials in intensive care patients are necessary to advance knowledge.
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