Comparison of four noninvasive rewarming methods for mild hypothermia
article
Four noninvasive rewarming techniques for mildly hypothermic subjects were compared. Seven subjects were cooled in a water bath of 15°C for 2 h to an average esophageal temperature (Tes) of 36°C. Thereafter, the subjects were rewarmed by immersion of the body in a water bath of 42°C (Method 1), the body but not the extremities in water of 42°C (Method 2), only the extremities in water of 42°C (Method 3), or spontaneous rewarming in blankets (Method 4). Method 1 showed the highest rewarming rate in Tes (10.1°C/h) and an afterdrop in Tes of 0.18°C. Method 2 showed the same afterdrop, but a lower rewarming rate (7.5°C/h). In Method 3, the heat uptake of the extremities was too low to rewarm the subjects effectively. The afterdrop and rewarming rate were 0.38°C and 0.8°C/h, respectively. Method 4 had the lowest rewarming rate (0.2°C/h), and an afterdrop (0.14°C) which was not significantly lower than that of Method 1 or 2. Therefore, Method 1 is recommended for rewarming mild hypothermic subjects because of its high rewarming rate and small afterdrop.
Topics
TNO Identifier
7538
Source
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 63(12), pp. 1070-1076.
Collation
7 p.
Pages
1070-1076
Files
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