[Successful resuscitation in severe hypothermia following near-drowning]

A six-year-old boy fell into an ice-cold mountain stream and was immediately washed away. He was rescued 65 min later, 6 1/2 km downstream, seemingly lifeless with a rectal temperature of 16.4 degrees C. He was flown by helicopter to the surgical clinic of Innsbruck University, while resuscitation measures were undertaken by an accompanying doctor. After cannulation of the femoral artery and vein, extracorporeal circulation (ECC) with a child-size oxygenator was started and the blood rewarmed over 96 min in steps of 3 degrees C. Once circulatory stability and adequate cardiac output had been achieved ECC was gradually discontinued while the patient was still slightly hypothermic. Ten months after the accident the boy is restored to health, except for minimal residual neurological signs. There is a high chance for full neurological recovery.