266: A Feasibility Study to Determine If Inexpensive Commercial Coolers Maintains Normal Saline Temperatures at 4°C

Abstract

Induced hypothermia (IH) during the post resuscitation care of comatose survivors of cardiac arrest is recommended by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR). However, IH is typically initiated after admission to the hospital. Preliminary animal studies by Abella et al, 2004 indicate that rapid cooling contributes to improved survivability. Limitations to out-of-hospital initiation of cooling include the cost of the refrigeration units and placement in the ambulances.