Successful Treatment of Accidental Hypothermia with Injury: A Case Report.
10.4266/kjccm.2011.26.2.110
- Author:
Kyu Hyouck KYOUNG
1
;
Young Hwan KIM
;
Suk Kyung HONG
Author Information
1. Department of Surgery, Haeundae Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
hypothermia;
Osborn J wave;
re-warming
- MeSH:
Blood Pressure;
Electrocardiography;
Glasgow Coma Scale;
Humans;
Hypothermia;
Prognosis;
Stroke;
Urinary Bladder
- From:The Korean Journal of Critical Care Medicine
2011;26(2):110-113
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Accidental hypothermia is an uncommon health issue that can cause fatal problems. Mortality related to hypothermia has been reported to be up to 50%. Prognosis of hypothermia depends on the grade of hypothermia, interval of re-warming from the accident and the re-warming rate. Hypothermic patients with injury show worse prognosis. A 66 year-old man with history of cerebrovascular accident was rescued in the mountains. His Glasgow coma scale (GCS) was 3, core temperature was 25.2degrees C and he had a right lateral malleolar fracture. The second patient was a 45 year-old man whose GCS was 8 and core temperature 17.2degrees C. Blood pressure was unmeasurable with only palpable pulse and showed Osborn J wave on electrocardiography for both patients. Active re-warming was performed with forced warm air, warm saline infusion and bladder irrigation. Patient core temperature raised by 1.5degrees C/hour and 3.3degrees C/hour, respectively. The two patients were discharged without any other sequelae and disability.
