Therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest
Keywords:
Therapeutic hypothermia, Cardiac arrest, Neurological recoveryAbstract
Objective: This narrative review investigated the impact of therapeutic hypothermia (TTM) on neurological recovery in patients after cardiac arrest (CA). A PubMed search (2019–2025) identified 27 articles; after selection, nine studies published between 2019 and 2023 were included, conducted in South Korea, the United States, Canada, European countries, and Poland. The studies presented different designs and compared target temperature ranges (32–36.5 °C), induction time, maintenance duration, and types of cooling devices. The findings indicated a consistent benefit of temperature management, especially at values close to 33 °C. Factors such as longer time within the target range, precise induction, and maintenance for at least 24 hours were associated with better neurological outcomes. Reported complications included seizures, infections, and metabolic disturbances, highlighting the need for rigorous monitoring. The main limitations involved small sample sizes, predominance of observational studies, heterogeneous protocols, lack of randomization, and limited follow-up. In conclusion, TTM emerges as an important neuroprotective measure after CA and should be incorporated into care protocols when properly applied; however, its consolidation as a standardized practice depends on prospective multicenter trials with more robust clinical and functional outcomes.
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