Post-Cardiac arrest targeted temperature management in a parturient with severe COVID-19 disease

Targeted temperature management (TTM) may improve neurological outcomes and mortality after cardiac arrest. We present a targeted mild hypothermia treatment in a postpartum patient with COVID-19 after successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

A 23 year old, 26-week pregnant patient with the diagnosis of COVID-19. The patient developed respiratory arrest followed by cardiac arrest and underwent CPR for six minutes. The patient underwent an emergency cesarean section after CPR in intensive care unit. After the resuscitation, 72-hours hypothermia protocol was initiated. We extubated the patient 13 days after the hypothermia procedure. The patient was conscious and cooperative. Respiratory distress worsened in the following days; the patient was re-intubated 18 days after the TTM. The benefit of targeted hypothermia was improved neurologic outcome in our patient. However, severe infectious complications led to multi-organ failure and the patient died on the 45th ICU admission day.