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    Temperature control to improve neurological outcomes after cardiac arrest

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    Description

    Cardiac arrest is when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood around the body. A person whose heart is restarted after cardiac arrest can have poor neurological outcomes. This is because their brain has not had enough oxygen during the cardiac arrest, which can cause brain injury.

    In this procedure, after a person's heart is restarted and while they are still in a coma, their body temperature is controlled. Either their body is kept at a normal temperature of between 36.5°C and 37.5°C to prevent fever, or it is cooled to between 32°C and 36°C. Both are done for 1 to 3 days. The aim is to improve survival and neurological outcomes.