Date of Award

8-1-2020

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

MS in Physician Assistant Studies (PA)

Department

Physician Assistant Studies

First Advisor

Eric VanHecke, PA-C, EMCAQ

Abstract

Background: Targeted Temperature control for post cardiac arrest patients has a long history dating back to the ancient Greeks. In the last twenty years there has been a push to define and implement a protocol for targeted temperature control for post cardiac arrest patients, specifically those with ventricular fibrillation arrests, to improve neurological outcomes and post-arrest quality of life. In this review, literature from the last twenty years and beyond was examined to attempt to determine whether populations treated with therapeutic hypothermia experienced improved neurological results.

Methods: Literature searches were preformed using the PubMed database as well as Google Scholar.

Conclusion: Based on the current research, it was determined that the field of therapeutic hypothermia has significant shortcomings in research based on overall applicability and potential benefit. In its current form, therapeutic hypothermia is weakly recommended by governing health authorities and does not appear to offer any significant benefit on neurological outcomes for patients suffering from out of hospital ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest. Implementation of therapy was found to be associated with significant risks to the patient in terms of complications, hospital stay, mortality, and cost. All this considered, it seems that the future of TTM hangs in the balance. Further randomized research trials are needed within the field to conclusively determine whether or not therapeutic temperature management has a role in revised cardiac arrest protocols moving forward.

Identifier

SC 11.PAS.2020.Christen.T

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