The role of hypothermia in post-cardiac arrest patients with return of spontaneous circulation: A systematic review

Abstract

Objectives: To update a comprehensive systematic review of the use of therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest that was undertaken initially as part of the 2010 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science. The specific question addressed was: 'in post-cardiac arrest patients with a return of spontaneous circulation, does the induction of mild hypothermia improve morbidity or mortality when compared with usual care?'. Methods: Pubmed was searched using (" heart arrest" or " cardiopulmonary resuscitation" ) AND " hypothermia, induced" using 'Clinical Queries' search strategy; EmBASE was searched using (heart arrest) OR (cardiopulmonary..