Rescue hypothermia for refractory hypercapnia

• DOI: 10.1007/s00431-012-1769-6
• Publication Date: 2012-07-17T00:01:33Z
• Authors: Domenico Pietrini; Mariano Pennisi; Francesca Vitale; Silvia Maria Puli...; Giorgio Conti; Aldo Mancino; Marco Piastra; Daniele De Luca
• Keywords: Male; Infant; Hypothermia; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections; Acute respiratory failure; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses; 3. Good health; Hypercapnia; 03 medical and health sciences; Treatment Outcome; 0302 clinical medicine; Hypothermia, Induced; Bronchiolitis, Viral; Humans; Respiratory Insufficiency

Hypothermia may reduce the CO(2) production by decreasing the metabolism of the cooled tissue. We describe the first clinical use of hypothermia to lower hypercarbia in a case of bronchiolitis related respiratory failure unresponsive to maximal respiratory support. In this case, hypothermia allowed sparing the use of extracorporeal life support. Conclusion Hypothermia might be useful for severe acute respiratory failure unresponsive to aggressive respiratory support.