Question

What is the change in cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen consumption (CMRO2) for every 1 degree Celsius below 37 degrees, and what implications does this have in clinical practice?

Answer 1

For every 1-degree Celsius decline below 37 degrees, the CMRO2 decreases by approximately 5-7%, which is clinically exploited in controlled hypothermia to reduce metabolic demands during medical procedures.

Step-by-step explanation:

The change in cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen consumption (CMRO2) for each 1-degree Celsius decline below 37 degrees is approximately 5-7%. This decrease in CMRO2 is significant in clinical practice for procedures such as controlled hypothermia, where purposely lowering a patient's body temperature can protect the brain and other organs by reducing their metabolic demands during periods where blood flow may be compromised, such as during open-heart surgery.

Controlled hypothermia leverages the relationship between body temperature and metabolic rate to minimize metabolic needs and consequently the oxygen demand and energy consumption of organs. By inducing hypothermia, clinical practitioners can manage the metabolic processes amid sensitive medical procedures to improve patient outcomes.