Final answer:
Induced hypothermia is performed after ROSC to reduce metabolic rates and oxygen demand by the heart and organs, maintained for 24 hours to protect against further damage.
Step-by-step explanation:
Induced hypothermia, also known as controlled hypothermia, is applied after the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) following a cardiac arrest. The procedure involves lowering the patient's body temperature to approximately 91 degrees Fahrenheit (32.7 degrees Celsius) to reduce metabolic rates and the demand for oxygen by the heart and other organs.
This state is typically maintained for 24 hours to minimize cardiac workload and lessen the risk of further heart damage. The process is also used in surgeries, such as open-heart surgery, where the heart is cooled even further to below 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius) while the patient's blood circulation is supported by a heart-lung machine.