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Published on: June 12, 2021
Mild Hypothermia in Cardiogenic Shock Complicating Myocardial Infarction
Georg Fuernau1,2,3, Johannes Beck3, Steffen Desch1,2,3
1Medical Clinic II (Cardiology/Angiology/Intensive Care Medicine), University Heart Center Luebeck, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (G.F., S.D., I.E., A.J., S.d.W.-T), University of Luebeck, Germany.
Insights
Mild therapeutic hypothermia did not improve cardiac function in acute myocardial infarction patients with cardiogenic shock. This study found no significant hemodynamic benefits, indicating it may not be a beneficial treatment in this specific patient group.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Critical Care Medicine
- Therapeutic Hypothermia
Background:
- Experimental data suggested mild therapeutic hypothermia (MTH) may improve outcomes in cardiogenic shock post-myocardial infarction (MI).
- However, robust clinical evidence on its hemodynamic effects in this specific population was lacking.
- This study aimed to clarify the role of MTH in managing cardiogenic shock complicating acute MI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hemodynamic effects of mild therapeutic hypothermia (MTH) in patients experiencing cardiogenic shock after acute myocardial infarction (MI).
- To assess the impact of MTH on cardiac power index and other hemodynamic parameters.
- To evaluate arterial lactate levels and 30-day mortality in patients treated with MTH.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 40 patients with cardiogenic shock post-MI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.
- Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive either 24 hours of MTH or standard care (control).
- The primary endpoint was cardiac power index at 24 hours, with secondary endpoints including other hemodynamic measures and arterial lactate.
Main Results:
- No significant difference was observed in the primary endpoint, cardiac power index at 24 hours, between the MTH and control groups (0.41 vs. 0.36 W/m²; P=0.50).
- Hemodynamic measurements and 30-day mortality (60% vs. 50%; P=0.55) were not statistically different between groups.
- Arterial lactate levels were significantly higher in the MTH group with a slower decline (P for interaction=0.03).
Conclusions:
- Mild therapeutic hypothermia did not demonstrate a substantial beneficial effect on cardiac power index at 24 hours in patients with cardiogenic shock post-MI.
- The findings suggest MTH may not be an effective intervention for improving hemodynamic function in this patient cohort.
- Further research may be needed to identify specific subgroups who could benefit from MTH.
Background:
Experimental trials suggest improved outcome by mild therapeutic hypothermia for cardiogenic shock after acute myocardial infarction. The objective of this study was to investigate the hemodynamic effects of mild therapeutic hypothermia in patients with cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction.
Methods:
Patients (n=40) with cardiogenic shock undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention without classic indications for mild therapeutic hypothermia underwent randomization in a 1:1 fashion to mild therapeutic hypothermia for 24 hours or control. The primary end point was cardiac power index at 24 hours; secondary end points included other hemodynamic parameters and serial measurements of arterial lactate.
Results:
No relevant differences were observed for the primary end point of cardiac power index at 24 hours (mild therapeutic hypothermia versus control: 0.41 [interquartile range, 0.31-0.52] versus 0.36 [interquartile range, 0.31-0.48] W/m2; P=0.50; median difference, -0.025 W/m2; 95% CI, -0.12 to 0.06). Similarly, all other hemodynamic measurements were not statistically different. Arterial lactate levels at 6, 8, and 10 hours were significantly higher in patients in the mild therapeutic hypothermia group with a slower decline ( P for interaction=0.03). There were no differences in 30-day mortality (60% versus 50%; hazard ratio, 1.27; 95% CI, 0.55-2.94; P=0.55).
Conclusions:
In this randomized trial, mild therapeutic hypothermia failed to show a substantial beneficial effect on cardiac power index at 24 hours in patients with cardiogenic shock after acute myocardial infarction.
Clinical Trial Registration:
URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT01890317.
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