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In vitro Assessment of Myocardial Protection following Hypothermia-Preconditioning in a Human Cardiac Myocytes Model
Published on: October 27, 2020
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Osborn wave in hypothermia and relation to mortality
Oguz Eroglu1, Sancar Serbest2, Tarkan Kufeciler3
1Kirikkale University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Kirikkale, Turkey.
The American Journal of Emergency Medicine
|September 2, 2018
Summary
The Osborn wave (OW) in hypothermia patients is linked to lower bicarbonate and altered kidney function, but does not predict mortality. This ECG finding is not a reliable indicator for making critical survival decisions.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Internal Medicine
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Hypothermia is a critical condition requiring prompt medical attention.
- The Osborn wave (OW) is a distinct electrocardiogram (ECG) finding observed in hypothermic patients.
- Understanding the clinical significance of the Osborn wave is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare hypothermia patients with and without an Osborn wave (OW).
- To analyze differences in physical examination findings, laboratory results, and clinical survival between these groups.
- To determine the prognostic value of the Osborn wave in hypothermia.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of hypothermic patients.
- Division into two groups: Group 1 (with OW on ECG) and Group 2 (without OW on ECG).
- Statistical comparison using Mann-Whitney U test and ANOVA; significance set at p < 0.05.
Main Results:
- Osborn waves were present in 41.9% of patients.
- Group 1 (with OW) showed significantly lower bicarbonate levels (p=0.038) and higher creatinine levels (p=0.046) compared to Group 2.
- A significant relationship was found between the presence of OW and pH, bicarbonate, and creatinine levels.
- Mortality rates were similar between groups (69.2% in Group 1 vs. 77.8% in Group 2, p=0.689).
Conclusions:
- The Osborn wave in hypothermia is associated with decreased bicarbonate and impaired kidney function, indicating acidosis.
- Despite these biochemical changes, the presence of an Osborn wave does not significantly impact patient mortality.
- The Osborn wave alone is insufficient to guide decisions regarding the prognosis of hypothermic patients.
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