Cut-off values for serum potassium and core temperature at hospital admission for extracorporeal rewarming of avalanche victims in cardiac arrest

Abstract

Purpose: Identification of hypothermic avalanche victims with reversible out-of-hospital cardiac-arrest (OHCA) is still difficult, as many will die despite achieving return of spontaneous circulation. Algorithms with pre-hospital cut-off values have been proposed since 1996, but evidence is low and the adherence to the guidelines has remained suboptimal. The definition of reliable cut-off values at hospital admission may improve allocation of extracorporeal life support (ECLS) resources and increase the proportion of survivors in rewarmed victims.