Effect of mild hypothermia for treatment of severe head injury: a clinical analysis

Abstract

Objective To compare the prognoses of patients with severe brain injury receiving mild hypothermia and normothermia interventions and evaluate the brain protective effect of mild hypothermia. Methods Seventy-six patients with severe head injury (Glaseow Coma Score≤8) were divided into mild hypothermia group (36 cases) and normothermia group (40 cases). The patients in the normothermia group were managed with measures for reducing the intracranial pressure and controlling the hemorrhage and gastric acid, with also administration of neurotrophic treatment and nutritional support. In addition to these conventional interventions, the patients in mild hypothermia group received mild hypothermia treatment administered using a water blanket to reduce the core body temperature and brain temperature to 32-34℃, which was maintained for 3-14 days as needed. Results The patients receiving mild hypothermia therapy had significantly improved prognosis in comparison with those in normothermia group (P<0.05). Conclusion Mild hypothermia treatment has brain protective effect and improves the prognosis of patients with severe brain injury. Key words: Head injury; Mild hypothermia; Brain protection