Beneficial effects of hypothermia after cardiac arrest.

Abstract

Cardiac arrest occurred in a 2-year-old girl. Hypothermia was produced with a watercooled mattress. Despite the presence of hypertonicity, convulsions, and coma in the immediate postarrest period, the patient made a complete neuropsychological recovery. The high mortality and residual nervous system damage that follow cardiac arrest are usually due to cerebral hypoxia. The duration of hypoxia generally determines the prognosis. Individual variations modify the ability to withstand hypoxia without resulting permanent brain injury. Preexisting vascular disease, age, and the presence of hypoxia before arrest are factors that determine the degree of injury. The cessation of cerebral blood flow for more than three to four minutes is usually followed by cortical cellular destruction.