Comparing Therapeutic Hypothermia Using External and Internal Cooling for Post-Cardiac Arrest Patients

A Phased Prospective Clinical Study Comparing Controlled Therapeutic Hypothermia Post Resuscitation After Cardiac Arrest Using External and Internal Cooling to Standard Intensive Care Unit Therapy

Controlled therapeutic hypothermia is a method of preserving neurological function post-resuscitation.It has been associated with improved functional recovery and reduced histological deficits in animal models of cardiac arrest.

Three randomized clinical studies have been reported showing improved neurological outcome and reduced mortality in post-resuscitation patients treated with hypothermia compared to controls. Of the various methods of inducing hypothermia, internal cooling using an endovascular catheter and external cooling using gel pads with a water based circulating system have shown the most promise. There have not been any studies looking at outcomes between the two methods of cooling.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Sustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after cardiac arrest, for more than 30 min
2. Patients aged between 18 to 80 years.
3. Patients who are hemodynamically stable, with a systolic BP > 90 mmHg with or without inotropic support.
4. Patients comatose or unresponsive post-resuscitation

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Hypotension despite fluid and/or vasopressor support
2. Positive pregnancy test in women below 50 years
3. Premorbid status bedbound and uncommunicative