Hypothermic cardiac arrest in the homeless: what can we do?

Abstract

Accidental deep hypothermia with body temperature < 28 degrees C induces high mortality rates for neurological and cardiac complications. Although several reports described successful treatment of hypothermic arrest by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), the field of warming in the homeless is almost completely unquestioned although the malnutrition and the co-morbidities are usually believed as relevant risk factors for poor outcome. This article describes the experience of successful warming by ECMO in two homeless victims of unwitnessed cardiac arrest, who survived without neurological or cardiac complications. In conclusion, this is an initial experience and further research is required, although our results are appreciable in this high risk subset of population.

• Authors: Fabrizio Sansone, Roberto Flocco, Edoardo Zingarelli, Guglielmo Mario Actis Dato, Giuseppe Punta, Francesco Parisi, Pier Giuseppe Forsennati, Gian Luca Bardi, Iulia Imbastaro, Claudia Chiolero, Adalberto Balossino, Paolo Borin, Viviana Peretto, Stefano del Ponte, Riccardo Casabona
• Journal: The journal of extra-corporeal technology (J Extra Corpor Technol) Vol. 43 Issue 4 Pg. 252-7 (Dec 2011) ISSN: 0022-1058 [Print] France
• PMID: 22416606 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Alcoholism
• Blood Chemical Analysis
• Body Temperature
• Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (methods)
• Female
• Heart Arrest (etiology, physiopathology, therapy)
• Ill-Housed Persons
• Humans
• Hypothermia (physiopathology, therapy)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Rewarming (methods)