Question

Temp & timing for Permissive hypothermia post cardiac arrest... how many days of normothermia after?

a) 32-34°C; 24 hours
b) 34-36°C; 48 hours
c) 36-38°C; 72 hours
d) 38-40°C; 96 hours

Answer 1

The correct temperature and timing for permissive hypothermia post-cardiac arrest is 32-34°C for 24 hours, followed by the maintenance of normal body temperature.

Step-by-step explanation:

The practice you're inquiring about belongs to a medical procedure called controlled hypothermia, also known as therapeutic or permissive hypothermia. This procedure is performed after a cardiac arrest to reduce damage to the heart by slowing the patient's metabolic rate, which in turn reduces the heart's workload and the need for oxygenated blood by the organs. The temperature range you are asking about, 32-34°C (or approximately 91 degrees Fahrenheit), maintained for 24 hours, is consistent with the practice seen in emergency departments following cardiac arrest to reduce neurological damage and preserve heart function. After this period, normal body temperature, which is regulated by the hypothalamus and averages around 36.5-37.5°C (97.7-99.5°F), should be maintained.