Therapeutic Hypothermia (TH)

• Contraindications
• Documented intracranial hemorrhage
• Severe hemorrhage leading to exsanguination
• Hypotension refractory to multiple vasopressors
• Severe sepsis
• Pregnancy

Given that most patients who suffer cardiac arrest die of neurological consequences for which TH is the only proven beneficial therapy, the decision to withhold TH must be weighed carefully.

Source: Scirica, B. Therapeutic Hypothermia After Cardiac Arrest. Circulation. 2013; 127:244–250.