Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
2615792 | Wilderness & Environmental Medicine | 2006 | 5 Pages |
Abstract
A patient with severe hypothermia presented with an initial rectal temperature of 28.3°C coupled with a hemoglobin of 2.2 g dLâ1 and acute pancreatitis. Although hypothermia decreases oxygen and substrate consumption by tissues and can be cerebro-protective, the ideal rewarming strategy is unclear when the oxygen-delivery system is profoundly deficient, as with severe anemia. In this patient, truncal active external rewarming with a forced-air system, heated inhalation, and slow warmed transfusion yielded a 1.5°C hâ1 rate of rewarming and a good outcome. We discuss the numerous protective and detrimental factors affecting oxygenation and ventilation during hypothermia coupled with profound anemia and the possible etiologic explanations for coexistent hypothermia and pancreatitis.
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Authors
Aaron M. MD, Daniel F. MD,