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Therapeutic Hypothermia Research Paper

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Induction Phase. This is the first phase of therapeutic hypothermia. The aim of this phase is to deliberately reduce the patient’s core body temperature to a degree where mild hypothermia is induced. The target temperature for this phase of therapeutic hypothermia is roughly 32-34 °C, although the exact target temperature varies between healthcare facilities. The induction of mild hypothermia can be achieved through a variety of different methods, including ice packs, cold saline infusion, external cooling pads, and intravascular cooling. Sedatives and neuromuscular blockers are often administered in conjunction with these cooling methods to prevent shivering thermogenesis, which could otherwise increase the amount of time required to reach …show more content…

The aim of the final phase of this therapy is to gradually rewarm the patient to the normal body temperature of 37 °C. Gradual rewarming of the patient is strongly recommended as rewarming the patient too quickly can cause a number of adverse side effects such as a sudden arrhythmia that can cause electrolyte shifts, hypoglycemia, and hypotension. Neuromuscular blockers are often administered in conjunction with rewarming to prevent shivering thermogenesis, which can lead to sudden electrolyte disturbances. An ideal rate of rewarming of 0.15 °C to 0.25 °C per hour is recommended in order to minimize the adverse side effects associated with this phase (Peberdy et al., 2010, S770).
Development of Therapeutic Hypothermia The importance of temperature management in the treatment of individuals afflicted by various medical ailments has been known for centuries with one of the earliest instances of this knowledge being recorded at the height of the Greek’s classical period. Knowledge of hypothermia and its effects on the human body have increased over the subsequent centuries with major advancements in the diagnosis and recognition of hypothermia being made by surgeons enlisted in Napoleon’s army during his attempted conquest of Russia. However,

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