Effect of Prehospital Induction of Mild Hypothermia on Survival and Neurological Status Among Adults With Cardiac Arrest

This trial of hypothermia for unconsious survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest randomized 1359 patients to prehospital cooling and hospital cooling.  Prehospital cooling achieved a 1.2º - 1.3º C. decrease in core temperature by the time of arrival to the hospital and reduced time to adequate cooling by 1 hour, but was associated with an increased risk of rearrest prior to hospital arrival.  Survival to hospital discharge (62.7% vs 64.3%) and neurologic status at the time of discharge were similar between the 2 groups.