Some Don’t Like it Hot. Temperature Management in Brain Injury
Date
2013-09-26
Authors
Bains, Vininder
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Publisher
InspireNet
Abstract
In hypoxic brain injury such as post cardiac arrest, induction of therapeutic hypothermia has been repeatedly shown to improve the chances of neurological recovery, especially when it is applied as early. This has inspired a resurgence of interest in applying hypothermia to other types of brain injury despite the fact research conducted before 2003 had found therapeutic hypothermia ineffective in improving outcomes in traumatic brain injury. Proponents of therapeutic hypothermia suggest how we apply the therapy is as important as if we do. The potential benefits of hypothermia can be negated if poorly applied. Complications such as hypotension, shivering, VAP and infection may undo any benefits of cooling on brain injury. New tools to induce and maintain hypothermia as well as advances in critical care may allow us to apply therapeutic hypothermia better than we could before allowing many to re-investigate this not so novel therapy. To date however the controversy of how to manage temperature in traumatic brain injury remains. Current studies have conflicting results. We will explore the current state of the science, and highlight upcoming research.
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Citation
Bains, V. (2013). Some Don’t Like it Hot. Temperature Management in Brain Injury. [Webinar Recording].