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Correction of hypothermia by continuous pleural perfusion
G L Barr1, L O Halvorsen, A J Donovan
1Department of Surgery, Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center.
Surgery
|May 1, 1988
Summary
Continuous pleural perfusion effectively rewarms hypothermic pigs. This method rapidly increases core body temperature, offering a promising solution for managing severe hypothermia and its dangerous effects like ventricular fibrillation.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Physiology
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Severe hypothermia (core temperature <30°C) poses significant risks, including ventricular fibrillation.
- Current core rewarming methods are often inadequate for rapid temperature restoration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate continuous pleural perfusion with warm saline as a novel core rewarming technique.
- To assess the efficacy and speed of pleural perfusion in a hypothermic animal model.
Main Methods:
- Pigs were experimentally cooled to core temperatures between 28°C and 30°C.
- The pleural space was continuously perfused with 42°C saline solution.
- Rewarming rates were compared between a control group and the pleural perfusion group.
Main Results:
- Control pigs (n=5) showed minimal spontaneous rewarming (0.34°C/hour), failing to reach 32°C within 3 hours.
- Pigs undergoing pleural perfusion (n=10) reached a core temperature >32°C in an average of 56 minutes.
- The average temperature increase in the first hour of rewarming was 5.05°C in the perfusion group.
Conclusions:
- Continuous pleural perfusion is a rapid and effective method for core rewarming in hypothermic pigs.
- This technique demonstrates significant potential for clinical application in managing severe hypothermia.
- Pleural perfusion offers a superior rewarming rate compared to spontaneous rewarming.