Have there been any studies using IV fluids to induce hypothermia in cardiac arrest?
There have been three small studies using cold IV to induce hypothermia in patients admitted to the hospital following cardiac arrest. Bernard in Australia has examined the infusion of 2-3 liters of cold fluid in a small pilot study. He cooled 22 cardiac arrest patients upon their arrival to the hospital using an infusion of cold IV fluids. The average temperature decrease was 1.9 ºC. No adverse effects were noted. Investigators at Harborview Medical Center also tested the effectiveness and safety of giving cold IV fluids in a small pilot study of hospitalized cardiac arrest patients. 20 subjects were cooled using an infusion of 2 liters of a cold salt-water solution. This method effectively and rapidly cooled the patient. The temperature dropped 1- 2ºC over twenty minutes in all subjects. There were no adverse effects. Investigators at Harborview Medical Center have also studied the infusion of cold IV given to patients before they arrive at the hospital. This study was called the “Pi
