The benefits of therapeutic hypothermia in post-cardiac arrest victims

Abstract

Cardiac arrest is a phenomenon in which a sudden loss of heart function leads to cessation of blood delivery to the rest of the body. It is one of the leading causes of natural death in the United States. Because its onset cannot be predicted, therapy for post-cardiac arrest victims focuses on management of moderate organ failure and neurological injury. The mortality rate of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims remains about 90%, but currently, there are several management techniques that reduce the incidence of sudden cardiac death. My goal is to argue that despite some of the negative effects of therapeutic hypothermia, it holds the most promise to sustain organ and neurological recovery.

This study focuses on evaluating the pathophysiology of post-cardiac arrest syndrome, and referencing literature that documents the reversal techniques of therapeutic hypothermia. Despite the side effects and unwanted consequences that come with targeted temperature management, there is an imbalance between the benefits and consequences, resulting in enhanced recovery when this technique is carefully administered shortly after the cardiac arrest episode.