Abstract
The survival and the quality of life in patients surviving cardiac arrest are markedly limited by postischemic encephalopathy that results from anoxia and reperfusion injury.The extent of brain damage can be diminished by therapeutic hypothermia that leads to the decrease of metabolism and suppression of pathogenetic mechanisms related to reperfusion injury. The decrease of body temperature to 32-34 grade of Celsius for 12-24 hours can improve neurologic finding and mortality in patients after cardiac arrest.
The most effective ways of decreasing body temperature are external cooling and infusion of iced fluids. Because of its efficacy, simplicity and safety, the use of therapeutic hypothermia should be considered in all patients after cardiac arrest with persisting comatose state.