Practice Patterns and Trends in Temperature Control After Cardiac Arrest: A Multi-Specialty Survey

Background/Objectives: Temperature control after cardiac arrest remains a recommended component of post-cardiac arrest care, yet substantial practice variability persists. Conflicting evidence regarding optimal temperature targets and mixed interpretations of recent trials, such as TTM2, may contribute to inconsistent bedside implementation. Understanding physician knowledge, attitudes, and practice patterns is essential for aligning post-cardiac arrest management with evolving evidence. This study aimed to characterize international physician perceptions of temperature control, patterns of use, understanding of neurologic injury, and the influence of emerging literature. Methods: A 39-item web-based survey was developed through iterative expert review and pilot testing and disseminated to members of critical care, neurology, and emergency medicine societies between September 2021 and January 2022. The instrument assessed demographics, temperature control practices, interpretation of new literature, and post-cardiac arrest management. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics in R Studio, with proportions reported for categorical variables and mode responses for ranked questions. Results: Among 501 respondents, 471 (94%) completed the survey. Most were attending-level physicians (73%), primarily practicing intensive care medicine (75%), and based in academic centers (60%). Targeted temperature management (TTM) was commonly initiated by the admitting intensivist (66%), most often because guidelines recommended it (67%). The most influential factors driving initiation were institutional protocols (21%), perceived neurologic prognosis (17%), and arrest etiology (14%). The most frequently selected temperature target was 36 °C (44%). Awareness of the TTM2 trial was high (70%), though only 31% reported altering their practice in response. Neurologists were more likely to individualize temperature targets and select lower temperatures, while physicians caring for higher cardiac arrest volumes also favored lower targets. Community clinicians more commonly selected lower temperature targets compared with those in academic settings. Conclusions: Substantial heterogeneity exists in the practice and rationale for temperature control after cardiac arrest. Physician specialty, cardiac arrest volume, and local practice environment influence the temperature target selection and attitudes toward emerging evidence. Despite awareness of new data, institutional protocols remain the dominant factor guiding implementation. Standardized, evidence-based institutional pathways may help reduce practice variability and promote consistent post-cardiac arrest care.