New study demonstrates better performance compared to standard methods of inducing therapeutic hypothermia
The European Resuscitation Council (ERC) and Elsevier’s journal, Resuscitation have chosen a randomized controlled study demonstrating a trend toward faster cooling and better control with Medivance’s Arctic Sun Temperature Management System.
The study was conducted at five hospitals in the US in 2004-2007, that were among the first to implement the joint AHA/ERC guidelines for the treatment of comatose patients after cardiac arrest. Over 64 patients were enrolled in the study and treated with post arrest cooling, approximately half with standard methods supplemented with ice and the other half with the Arctic Sun Temperature Management System alone.
Kennon Heard, principal investigator and associate professor of Surgery and Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, said: “Despite the steep learning curve associated with new cooling procedures and the small sample size of the study, the Arctic Sun was easy to use and showed a trend of faster cooling and more precise temperature control than cooling blankets supplemented with ice.
“In addition, although the study was not powered for clinical outcomes, the high proportion of patients with good neurological outcomes (CPC 1 or 2) is similar to or better than other studies of controlled hypothermia.”
Robert Kline, president and CEO of Medivance, said: “It is an honor for this study conducted with the Arctic Sun to be featured by the journal Resuscitation. At the time the study was undertaken, Targeted Temperature Management (TM) was not as widely implemented as today and the lessons learned provide a good starting point for hospitals looking to start or improve their own cooling programs.”