Cardiac Arrest Cooling Protocol

The WRHA has a protocol for providing therapeutic hypothermia following a cardiac arrest.

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

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/tachycardia(Dx code: 131-4, or 131-1)
  • 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)