Hypothermia May Aid Sudden Heart Arrest

A state of suspended animation for delayed resuscitation was achieved in lab animals by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC, PA, USA) by rapidly flushing cold saline into the aorta of the animals. The researchers, who presented their findings at the annual meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) in New Orleans (LA, USA), say this practice may allow doctors to bring back patients from death after severe trauma or sudden heart arrest.

Rapid, severe chilling of the body may give doctors the additional critical time they need to transport and resuscitate patients in whom blood flow has not merely slowed, such as during a heart attack or shock, but completely stopped. The hypothermia preserves the organs deprived of oxygen. The researchers cite cases where victims who have drowned in frozen lakes have been revived after being pulled from the water after as long as 60 minutes.

"We've shown in laboratory studies that lowering whole body temperature two to three degrees during severe hemorrhagic shock can double the survival time and rate,” said Dr. Peter Safar, a professor of resuscitation medicine at UPMC. The hypothermic techniques presented by Dr. Safar involve giving a special antioxidant drug plus administering small amounts of hypertonic solution, a liquid containing a high concentration of salt. The solution draws fluid into the blood stream, improving blood flow.


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Univ. of Pittsburgh Medical Center