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[Two cases of accidental hypothermia]
M Fiorini1, M Colombo, M F Magatti
1Servizio di Anestesia e Rianimazione, USSL n. 11-Ospedale S. Anna, Como.
Minerva Anestesiologica
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Two drug users with moderate hypothermia presented with coma and shock. Minimally invasive rewarming yielded good results, though one patient required intensive care for 30 days.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Emergency Medicine
- Cardiology
Background:
- Accidental moderate hypothermia can occur in individuals with substance use disorders.
- These patients often present with severe symptoms including coma, shock, and respiratory distress.
Observation:
- Two cases of moderate hypothermia in drug users were observed.
- Patients presented with coma, shock, metabolic acidosis, and characteristic electrocardiogram (ECG) alterations.
- Minimal invasivity methods were employed for rewarming.
Findings:
- Rewarming efforts were successful in both cases.
- Clinical courses varied, with one patient requiring 30 days of intensive care unit (ICU) stay due to cardiac and respiratory complications.
- The second patient experienced a rapid resolution.
- Arrhythmia risk may extend beyond the period of hypothermia.
Implications:
- Minimally invasive rewarming is an effective approach for moderate hypothermia in this patient population.
- Close monitoring and management of cardiac and respiratory complications are crucial.
- The potential for delayed arrhythmias warrants further investigation in hypothermia survivors.