C. Metz et al., MODERATE HYPOTHERMIA IN PATIENTS WITH SEVERE HEAD-INJURY - CEREBRAL AND EXTRACEREBRAL EFFECTS, Journal of neurosurgery, 85(4), 1996, pp. 533-541
Cerebral and extracerebral effects of moderate hypothermia (core tempe
rature 32.5 degrees C-33.0 degrees C) were prospectively studied in 10
patients with severe closed head injury (Glasgow Coma Scale score < 7
) in the intensive care unit of a university hospital. Hypothermia was
induced by cooling the patient's body surface with water-circulating
blankets. Before cooling, a conventional intracranial pressure (ICP) r
eduction therapy was applied, which remained unchanged throughout the
study. Cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral metabolic rates for oxygen
(CMRO(2)) and lactate (CMRL), and ICP were simultaneously measured pri
or to inducing hypothermia, after obtaining hypothermia. after 24 hour
s of hypothermia, and after rewarming. With respect to extracerebral e
ffects, supplemental investigations were conducted 24 and 72 hours aft
er rewarming. The median delay between injury and induction of hypothe
rmia was 16 hours. Hypothermia reduced CMRO(2) by 45% (p < 0.01), wher
eas CBF did not change significantly. Before cooling, six patients had
elevated CMRL indicating cerebral ischemia. Cooling normalized CMRL i
n all patients (p < 0.01). The intracranial hypertension present prior
to cooling declined markedly during hypothermia (p < 0.01) without si
gnificant rebound effects after rewarming. Cardiac index decreased by
18% after hypothermia was reached (p < 0.05), recovered at 24 hours of
hypothermia, and surpassed baseline values after rewarming. Platelet
counts dropped continuously up to 24 hours after rewarming (p < 0.01).
Plasma coagulation tests did not show significant worsening. Creatini
ne clearance decreased during cooling (p < 0.01) and recovered by 24 h
ours after rewarming. Twenty-four hours after cooling had begun, eight
patients had elevated serum lipase activity (p < 0.01) and four of th
em acquired pancreatitis. Rewarming normalized both pancreatic alterat
ions. Seven patients made a good recovery; one survived severely disab
led; and two patients died. Moderate hypothermia is effective in preve
nting secondary brain damage while reducing cerebral ischemia. However
, there are potentially hazardous side effects that require additional
monitoring.