The RhinoChill intranasal cooling system for reducing temperature after cardiac arrest

Key points

The RhinoChill intranasal cooling system (BeneChill) is intended for starting and continuing temperature reduction in patients until systematic cooling methods can be used. The system is designed to cool the brain through evaporation and direct conduction at the base of the skull when there is no circulation. When spontaneous circulation returns, the brain and body are additionally cooled through indirect convection, because the cooled blood removes heat through normal circulation.

Evidence from 2 studies (1 randomised controlled trial and 1 case series) indicates that the RhinoChill system is efficacious in statistically significantly reducing cerebral and core temperatures in patients after cardiac arrest. No published evidence on resource consequences was identified. However, because the system is intended for use as an adjunct to systemic temperature control systems, it is an additional procedure in the emergency care pathway and therefore likely to incur costs to the NHS. No studies have yet demonstrated improved survival rates or improved neurological outcomes from using the RhinoChill system after cardiac arrest.