Deliberate Hypothermia for Patients with Severe Brain Injury

Overview

Effect of mild and moderate hypothermia on neuronal protection have been reported in numerous experimental settings. Furthermore, clinical datasuggest, that brain injured patients may benefit from mild hypothermia. We present a group of patients in which we used mild hypothermia asa component of intensive care management for severe brain injury patients. Our data showed, that therapeutic hypothermia is useful procedure toprevent ischemia related brain damage. With full monitoring is safety also for polytrauma patients. However, the optimal temperature managementregarding minimal side effects and maximal cerebral protection has not yet been defined.

Key words:
hypothermia – brain injury – intensive care management