Question

What is the goal of the hypothermic protocol in out of hospital cardiac arrest?

1) To induce hypothermia in the patient
2) To prevent rewarming of the patient
3) To lower the body temperature of the patient
4) To improve the chances of survival and reduce neurological damage

Answer 1

The hypothermic protocol aims to use controlled hypothermia to reduce the metabolic demands of the body following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, thereby improving survival rates and minimizing neurological damage by protecting the heart and other vital organs.

Step-by-step explanation:

The goal of the hypothermic protocol in out of hospital cardiac arrest is to improve the chances of survival and reduce neurological damage. Physicians utilize a controlled hypothermia approach to lower a patient's body temperature to about 91 degrees. This therapeutic temperature is maintained for 24 hours to slow the metabolic rate significantly. As metabolism slows down, the demand for blood by the body's organs decreases, thereby reducing the workload on the weakened heart. This process not only protects the heart but also shields other vital organs, including the brain, from potential damage as a result of the cardiac arrest.

The use of controlled hypothermia has been found to be beneficial during procedures like open-heart surgery, to minimize metabolic needs and risks of damage to the brain and heart. By reducing the body's temperature, controlled hypothermia effectively decreases the organ's requirement for oxygen, thus preventing further injury and enhancing recovery prospects.