Cardiac Arrest A Huge Problem For The American Public

Cardiac arrest is a huge problem for the American public. According to the American heart association cardiac arrest kills around 200,000 to 300,000 people each year. There are numerous studies on ways to increase the survival rates and overall outcomes of these patients. Therapeutic hypothermia is one of the new and upcoming studies for post cardiac arrest care. It is used in various EMS agencies worldwide. It has shown significant improvements in patient’s outcome and reduced neurological deficits. There are specific indications for when therapeutic hypothermia can be used. Once indicated there are three phases involved which include induction, maintenance, and rewarming. Each phase is critical for successful treatment of the patient.†¦show more content†¦When the decision is made to use therapeutic hypothermia it is key to verify the patient meets the specific criteria for use. According to the American heart association the patient must be hemodynamically stable, comatose with Glasgow motor score of less than 6, have an arrest time of less than 60 minutes, among others. This criteria is imperative to achieve the greatest possible outcome for your patient. Conversely if the patient shows uncontrolled bleeding, is septic, or has uncontrollable dysrhythmias this procedure can have various harmful effects on the body. In general, hypothermia is usually well tolerated by the patient. According to neurologist Dr. Edgar Samaniego complications may include: 1) cardiac: arrhythmias, bradycardia, reduced ventricular contractility, and hypotension; 2) immunological: immunosuppression; 3) hematologic: thrombocytopenia and mild coagulopathy; 4) metabolic: shivering, hyperglycemia, hypokalemia, ileum, and cold-induced diuresis. The most common complication is pneumonia, followed by asymptomatic bradycardia. These complications can be minimized by proper use of this procedure as well as continuous monitoring. Therapeutic hypothermia occurs in three phases, which include induction, maintenance, and rewarming. This process must be controlled to prevent and or control adverse reactions like arrhythmias, skin break down, and electrolyte imbalances. Maintaining the target body temperature is crucial