Accidental hypothermia in the largest emergency hospital in North-Eastern Romania

• DOI: 10.2478/rjim-2024-0010
• Publication Date: 2024-03-12T14:54:55Z
• Authors: Lidia Ionescu; Paula Cristina Mo...; Cristina Gena Das...; Diana Elena Iov; Alexandru Florine...; Cristina Petronel...; Oana Sîrbu; Daniel Vasile Tim...; Ciprian Rezuş; Laurenţiu Șorodoc; Victoriţa Şorodoc; Genoveva Livia Baroi; Daniela Maria Tanase; Mariana Floria
• Keywords: Male; Adult; Pilot Projects; Blood Pressure; Hypothermia; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; emergency medicine; accidental hypothermia; Humans; Glasgow Coma Scale; Internal medicine; intensive care; Retrospective Studies; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Romania; Middle Aged; Blood Coagulation Disorders; Prognosis; mortality; RC31-1245; Female; prognosis; Emergency Service, Hospital

Abstract

Introduction Accidental hypothermia (AH) presents a significant mortality risk, even in individuals with good health. Early recognition of the parameters associated with negative prognosis could save more lives.

Methods This was a pilot, retrospective observational study, conducted in the largest Emergency Hospital in North Eastern Romania, which included all patients with AH (defined as body temperature below 35°C), hospitalized and treated in our hospital between 2019 and 2022.

Results A total of 104 patients with AH were included in our study, 90 of whom had data collected and statistically analyzed. The clinical, biological, and therapeutic parameters associated with negative outcomes were represented by a reduced GCS score (p=0.024), diminished systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p=0.007 respectively, 0.013), decreased bicarbonate (p=0.043) and hemoglobin levels (p=0.002), the presence of coagulation disorders (p=0.007), as well as the need for administration of inotropic or vasopressor medications (p=0.04).

Conclusion In this pilot, retrospective, observational study, the negative outcomes observed in patients with AH hospitalized in the largest Emergency Hospital in North-Eastern Romania were associated with several clinical, biochemical, and therapeutic factors, which are easy to identify in clinical practice. Recognizing the significance of these associated factors empowers healthcare practitioners to intervene at an early stage to save more lives.