Cardiac Arrest Cooling Protocol

The WRHA has a protocol for providing therapeutic hypothermia following a Cardiac arrest (not cool for other reasons).

This is relevant to how we collect Targeted Temperature Management (TTM) and Temperature. Even if all criteria below are not met, the fact that cooling has been applied will still impact these should be collected.

• NOTE: We want to capture all patients who are cooled post Cardiac arrest whether they meet criteria for Cardiac Arrest Cooling Protocol or not. A significant portion of patients following Cardiac arrest do not meet all the criteria listed however, based on the available evidence it is reasonable to consider cooling them.

Protocol

Target temp: 32°C to 34°C for 12 to 24 hours (but see above for our collection threshold).

Taken from the Hypothermia Protocol - Criteria:

• Cooling is indicated if all of the following are checked:
  • Cardiac Arrest
  • Initial rhythm Ventricular fibrillation/Ventricular tachycardia,Supraventricular tachycardia, paroxysmal
    • OLD Dx code: 131-4, or 131-1 (Pre Jan 1.19)
  • Time to ACLS <15 minutes
  • Total ACLS time <60 minutes
  • Persistent Glasgow Coma Scale < or = 9
  • Systolic BP currently over 90 mmHg (pressors allowed)
  • < 8 hours elapsed since Return of Spontaneous Circulation (ROSC)

Related articles

ExpandRelated articles:

Temperature (← links) Hypothermia (← links) Targeted Temperature Management (TTM) (← links)