Hypothermia: a double-edged sword

Authors

Maria Chiara Todaro
Lilia Oreto
Anjan Gupta, Aurora Sinai/Aurora St. Luke's Medical Centers, Advocate Aurora HealthFollow
Tanvir Bajwa, Aurora Cardiovascular Services, Aurora Sinai/Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Centers, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public HealthFollow
Bijoy K. Khandheria, Aurora Cardiovascular ServicesFollow

Recommended Citation

Todaro MC, Oreto L, Gupta A, Bajwa T, Khandheria BK. Hypothermia: a double-edged sword. Cardiology. 2012;122(2):126-8.

Abstract

Therapeutic hypothermia is currently used to reduce neurological ischemic damage in postcardiac arrest patients. Nevertheless, it has been associated with relevant side effects such as infections, bleeding, hypotension and hyperkalemia. Although hypothermia-induced coronary spasm is rare, its occurrence needs to be considered attentively as it adds a high risk of ventricular arrhythmias and cardiac arrest in patients with already-existing critical heart conditions.

Document Type

Article

PubMed ID

22813720