Evidence overview of therapeutic hypothermia

Responsible for the project: Marisa Warmuth
Project team: Marisa Warmuth, Thomas Stumpner
Duration: August 2012 - November 2012
Publication: DSD Nr. 63: https://eprints.aihta.at/985/

Suggested by: KAGES
Language: German

Background:
The American Heart Association and the European Resuscitation Council recommended mild therapeutic hypothermia (TH) for the treatment of patients following cardiac arrest in 2002 and 2003, respectively, for the first time after it was shown that decreasing the body temperature to around 34 to 32°C improves neurological outcomes and reduces mortality. Since then, the indications for the use of TH have been continuously evolving. However, some indications are still considered experimental. 

Aims of project:
The project aims at summarising the available evidence of the efficacy and safety of therapeutic hypothermia (conducted on an intensive care unit for at least 24 hours following an event) for the following indications:
• Cardiac arrest
• Stroke
• Traumatic brain injury
• Spinal cord injury
• Cardiogenic shock
• Refractory fever
• Sepsis
• Meningitis/meningoencephalitis
• Convulsive status epilepticus
• Acute liver failure
• Renal insufficiency 

Research objectives:
Is mild therapeutic hypothermia in adults (conducted on an intensive care unit for at least 24 hours following an event) in the abovementioned indications more effective and safe than conventional therapy under normothermia?

Methods:
• Systematic literature search in databases and registries
• Unsystematic hand search

PICO-Fragestellung:

Exclusion criteria:
• Individuals ?18 years
• Perioperative/ intraoperative hypothermia
• Publications in other languages than English or German

Time schedule/ milestones (in months):
August 2012: drafting of project protocol
September 2012: systematic literature search, hand search, literature selection
Oktober 2012: drafting of report
November 2012: drafting of report, internal review, external review, publication