What is the HYPOTHERMIA study?
The full name of the HYPOTHERMIA study is the “Pilot Study of Induced Hypothermia in Cardiac Arrest.” The purpose of the study is to eventually test the hypothesis that hypothermia started in the field by paramedics will increase the number of patients awakening after cardiac arrest. Prior to the initiation of a larger randomized clinical trial, a smaller pilot study is proposed to determine if hypothermia can be safely and effectively started in the field by Seattle paramedics. The “Pilot Study of Induced Hypothermia in Cardiac Arrest” is a randomized placebo controlled clinical trial to determine the safety and efficacy of inducing hypothermia in the field in cardiac arrest patients using a rapid infusion of 2 liters of a cold salt water solution. Subjects will be given medications for sedation and to prevent shivering that might lead to warming. Temperature monitoring will be via an esophageal probe inserted into the subject’s esophagus (swallowing tube) by the paramedics. Fifty pat
