Use of a Servo-Controlled Cooling Gel Pad System to Regulate Body Temperature in Critically Ill Children.

Abstract

To assess the efficacy and safety of a servo-controlled cooling pad system for target temperature management in critically ill pediatric patients. A prospective, single-center, observational study. PICU of a tertiary hospital from September 2018 to September 2019. Children from 28 days to 16 years old subjected to servo-controlled body temperature control. The Arctic Sun 5000 system (Bard Medical, Covington, GA) and Arctic Gel Hydrogel pads were used for the purposes of the study. Data collected included demographics, indication of therapy, patient's body temperature, target temperature, time-to-target temperature, duration of therapy, and need to start or increase sedation and/or muscle relaxants. A total of 16 patients were included, of whom 68.8% were male; mean age was 4.7 years. The most frequent indication was fever associated with hemodynamic instability (62.5%). The target temperature was normothermia (36 or 36.5°C) in 81% of cases. Mean baseline body temperature was 37.6°C (± 1.2°C), and 50% of patients had fever (> 38°C). The mean speed of cooling was 1.2°C/hr (± 1°C/hr). Mean time to target temperature was 118 minutes (± 98.8 min). Mean duration of therapy was 68.7 hours (± 58.3 hr). Two patients had fever related to device disconnection during the treatment. At the start of the therapy, 15 patients were receiving sedative and analgesic drugs, and four received muscle relaxants. A patient required increased sedation, whereas another patient needed to start muscle relaxants. One of the patients developed a skin lesion in the axilla, no other adverse events were registered. Despite the small sample size, the results of the study showed that target temperature management by the servo-controlled gel pad system in critically ill pediatric patients was effective in achieving satisfactory temperature control and it was well-tolerated.